Insights into the effects of different acids on the formation and electrochemical properties of carbon spherules

Abstract

Monodispersed and size-controlled carbon spherules have great potential in many different applications. We report here the effects of organic and inorganic acids as catalysts on the formation of carbon spherules through the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose. The as-generated carbon spherules had better monodispersity, a narrower size distribution and easier graphitization when organic dicarboxylic acids were used as catalysts. The carbon spherules produced using organic dicarboxylic acids as catalysts and their corresponding composites with chemically reduced graphene oxide had unique electrochemical properties when used as active materials for anodes in lithium ion batteries. Possible mechanisms of formation of carbon spherules with different inorganic and organic acids are proposed and their structure–property relationships are discussed.