Properties of silver-deposited graphite anodes for lithium secondary batteries

Silver-deposited graphite anodes have been developed using a wet chemical reduction method for depositing silver particles with the diameter about 100 nm onto graphite particles. There were the increase of discharge capacities for silver-deposited graphite anodes with the silver content smaller than 10 wt%, comparing to that for the graphite anode. The maximum capacity was obtained at the silver content of 5 wt %. This increase of discharge capacity may originate from the observed decrease of electrical resistance in electrode materials. Ag deposition improved high rate discharge performance and cyclability. There was only the capacity loss of 12 % for Ag deposited anodes after 1500 charge and discharge operations. Long cyclability of Ag deposited anodes is presumed to be associated with a stable SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) during charge and discharge cycles.