Tuning the morphology of argan shells-based activated carbon towards applications as an anode for lithium-ion battery

The application of carbonaceous materials other than graphite as an anode for lithium-ion batteries can generate significant advantages, mainly in terms of cost and sustainability while achieving high specific capacities. In this work, we successfully managed to tune the morphology of activated carbon prepared from argan shells to be used as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. Both Nanosphere-AC and Honeycomb-AC are obtained from the same precursor. The AC samples were comprehensively characterized using sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transforming infrared spectroscopy. Both materials were tested as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. It was found that Nanosphere-AC permitted great specific capacity (700 mAh.g−1at 50 mAh.g−1) and long-term cycling, showing no apparent capacity fade even after 200 cycles, offering promising application potential. Whereas Honeycomb-AC only achieved 220 mAh.g−1 at 50 mAh.g−1, but still exhibited great long-term cycling performance after 200 cycles and rate capability properties.