A microporous carbon derived from phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin by K2CO3 activation for lithium ion batteries

A microporous carbon material with large surface area was prepared by carbonizing and activating of phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin, using K₂CO₃ as activation reagent. The textural characteristics of the carbon materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, elemental analyses, respectively. Results showed that the surface area and pore diameter of the activated carbon were 1,610 m² g^?1 and less than 2 nm. Electrochemical lithium insertion properties were also investigated. At a current density of 100 mA g^?1, the activated carbon showed an enormous first-discharge capacity of 2,610 mAh g^?1 and the first charge capacity of 992 mAh g^?1. From the second cycle, the coulombic efficiency went up rapidly to above 95 %. The results indicated it may be a promising candidate as an anode material for lithium secondary batteries.