Synthesis of lithium–graphite nanotubes – An in-situ CVD approach using organo-lithium as a precursor in the presence of copper

An in-situ approach to synthesize lithium–graphite nanotubes (LGN) is demonstrated using chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Lithium acetate was used as precursor and as a self-intercalating agent in the presence of copper. Methane was selected as the secondary carbon source. To synthesize lithium–graphite nanotubes (LGN), CVD reactor was set to 500 °C in the presence of argon (200 sccm), hydrogen (40 sccm) and methane (75 sccm) gas under atmospheric conditions. X-ray diffraction shows that the samples are highly crystalline with the c-axis oriented toward the (002) and (111) planes of the graphitic carbon. High resolution transmission and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the samples shows that lithium has been doped into the layers of graphitic carbon matrix. They also show the formation of an alloy phase with distinctive lattice boundaries and stacked graphitic carbon with a small number of nanorods (lithium carbide). HR-Raman analysis shows the characteristic D and G bands of SP2 carbon with a narrow G band and broad D band indicating defects produced through doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the presence of predominant lithium and carbon peaks. Thermal analysis shows that the sample is stable up to 300 °C in air.