Lithium–tellurium batteries based on tellurium/porous carbon composite

Abstract

For the first time, lithiation/delithiation behavior of tellurium at room temperature was investigated using tellurium/porous carbon (Te/C) composite electrodes. The Te/C composite is synthesized by the infusion of liquid tellurium into a porous carbon host at the high temperature of 600 °C under vacuum. Owing to the physical confinement of Te by porous carbon matrix, the Te/C electrode is capable of delivering a reversible volumetric capacity as high as 1400 mAh cm⁻³ (224 mAh g⁻¹) at 312 mA cm⁻³ (50 mA g⁻¹) current and maintains 87% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles. Even when the current increases to 12480 mA cm⁻³ (2000 mA g⁻¹), the Te/C electrode can still provide a volumetric capacity of 500 mAh cm⁻³. The high volumetric capacity, long cycle life and good rate capability make Te/C composite a promising electrode for Li-ion batteries.