Correlation between microstructure and thermokinetic characteristics of electrolytic carbon nanomaterials

Highlights: ► Electrolytic carbon is a new class of nanometre sized carbon material. ► Two types of Li2CO3 nanoparticles are detected in this material. ► The formation of the Li2CO3 nanoparticles is explained on a thermodynamic basis. ► The oxidation of the electrolytic carbon is quantified. - Abstract: Electrolytic carbon material consists mainly of interconnected networks of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. Two types of Li2CO3 nanoparticles have been detected in the microstructure of this material. The first is Li2CO3 single nanocrystals that are located inside the graphitic interlayer spacings of the carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles, and the second is Li2CO3 nanoparticles that are deposited preferentially on the surfaces of the micrometre sized carbon particles. The oxidation of the electrolytic carbon material occurs within two distinct temperature ranges with different activation energy, which is explained on the basis of the specific microstructure of the material.