Laser-Modified Graphited Onion-Like Carbon as Anode for Lithium/Potassium-Ion Batteries

Graphitic onion-like carbon (GOC) present multi-shelled concentric polyhedral morphology with the particle size of 2.67 µm to 10.10µm. Used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), the specific concentric structure can effectively avoid interlayer slipping and ensure structural integrity, leading to higher cyclic stability than the normal anisotropy graphite such as the artificial and natural graphite. However, the closed-shell structures of GOC will result in unsatisfactory electrochemical performance in reversible capacity and rate capability. Herein, a one-step laser-etching method was proposed to the surface modification of GOC by creating suitable pores and edge structures without destroying the intrinsic multi-shell structure, resulting in improved reversible capacity (436 mA h g -1 at 0.05 A g -1 in LIBs and 289 mA h g -1 at 0.1C in PIBs) and rate performance (89 mA h g -1 at 10 A g -1 in LIBs and 114 mA h g -1 at 2C in PIBs) with unchanged initial coulombic efficiency. Meanwhile, the intrinsic concentric multi-shelled structure of laser-etching graphitic onion-like carbon (LGOC) facilitates structural integrity during de/intercalation process, possessing the intrinsic cyclic stability. This work provides a simple, green and universal strategy for the structural modification of graphite anode materials