Surface Characterization of Carbon Fibers as Anode Materials for Li Secondary Batteries

Pitch-based mesophase carbon fibers prepared at different temperatures were heat-treated at temperatures lower than those of the preparation and the electrochemical Li doping/undoping characteristics were evaluated in relation to the data of IR, mass, etc. Presence of surface hydroxyls were confirmed by FTIR for lower temperature sample which showed poor anode characteristics. Upon oxidative heating, removal of surface hydroxyls took place, resulting in a remarkable improvement of the electrode characteristics. At the same time, surface roughening took place, which was confirmed by SEM and double layer capacity measurements. In situ mass spectra obesrved during the heat-treatments showed gas evolution of $H_2O$, CO, $CO_2$, $C_2H_4$, and/or $H_2$ depending on the conditions. These data together with those of weight loss and conductivity provided us a valuable information in regard to the evaluation of the electrochemical characteristics.