Abstract: Artificial graphite samples with different particle size ranging from 13 to 80 μm were prepared by sieving method. The lithium intercalation performances of these samples were investigated. The results showed that the particle size had distinct effect on lithium intercalation performances of graphite. When particle size of graphite decreased gradually from 80 μm to 13 μm, the irreversible capacity loss of graphite increased about 10％. However, the reversible capacity increased with the decrease of particle size until the latter reached 20 μm with which the graphite had the highest capacity. When the particle size decreased from 20 μm, the reversible capacity decreased also. It suggested that neither large nor small graphite particle is suitable for reversible lithium intercalation. The medium graphite particles have the optimum reversible capacity. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area was measured and it increased with the decrease of particle size. This trend could explain the change of lithium intercalation performances of graphite with particle size.

Key words: Lithium ion battery, Anode material, Graphite, Lithium intercalation performance, Particle Size