LAUSR

Abstract Graphite dominates the anode market for lithium-ion battery. However, the limited theoretical capacity and power density of graphite anodes restrict the development of lithium-ion battery. Herein, a maleic acid/graphene/graphite composite anode is prepared and used in lithium ion batteries. Compared with the graphite anode, the composite anode exhibits much improved specific capacity and rate capability. From 100 mA g−1 to 10 A g−1, the discharge specific capacity of the composite anode is around 530 mAh g−1, and 498 mAh g−1 is retained when the current density increases to 50 A g−1. At 500 mA g−1 charge and discharge rate, the composite anode still retains 498 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. The combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations reveals that the superior electrochemical performance of the composite anode is because of the synergistic effects of maleic acid, graphene and graphite.