Single-, Double-, and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Electrically Conductive Additives to Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes
А. В. Бабкин, A.V. Kubarkov, Oleg A. Drozhzhin, Sergey A. Urvanov, Ivan S. Filimonenkov, А. Г. Ткачев, В. З. Мордкович, Vladimir G. Sergeyev, Evgeny V. Antipov
Abstract
Abstract The characteristics of lithium iron phosphate cathodes containing various types of commercially available carbon nanotubes—single-walled (SWCNTs), double-walled (DWCNTs), and multi-walled (MWCNTs)—have been compared. Electrochemical characteristics of the cathode materials have been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements. The cyclic stability at various current densities has been estimated. The best electrochemical characteristics are shown by the cathode materials containing SWCNTs (advantage over the DWCNT-based cathode materials at discharge rates higher than 10C) and DWCNTs (advantage over the SWCNT-based cathode materials during long-term cycling). During the long-term cycling at a current density of 1C, the greatest loss of capacity is observed for the MWCNT-based electrode. At the same time, the SWCNT- and DWCNT-based electrodes demonstrate satisfactory capacity retention after 50 charge/discharge cycles: over 94 and 98%, respectively.