Carbon Nanotubes as Anodes in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Cells

Carbon nanotubes (also known as "bucky tubes") have shown promise for use as anode materials in rechargeable lithium-ion power cells. In comparison with graphite and other forms of carbon used under identical conditions, bucky tubes exhibit greater specific discharge capacity and greater specific energy; this increase has been attributed to the greater electronegativity of bucky tubes and the consequent ability of bucky tubes to accommodate more lithium ions per unit of carbon. The success achieved thus far in the development of bucky-tube anodes with high reversible (charge/discharge) lithium-ion capacities is a result of advances in (1) the production of single- and multi-walled bucky tubes by both arc and non-arc techniques, (2) techniques for purification, (3) techniques for opening the ends of the tubes to admit lithium ions for intercalation, and (4) techniques for fabricating electrodes from bucky tubes.