Carbon nanotubes were obtained by pyrolysis of acetylene or ethylene catalyzed by iron or iron oxide nanoparticles. The morphology, microstructure, and lithium insertion properties of these carbon nanotubes were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements, respectively. The results showed that the structures of the carbon nanotubes play major roles in both specific capacity and cycle life. Slightly graphitized carbon nanotubes showed a specific capacity of 640 mAh/g during the first charge, whereas well-graphitized carbon nanotubes showed a specific capacity of 282 mAh/g during the first charge. After 20 charge/discharge cycles the charge capacity of the slightly graphitized samples degraded to 65.3% of their original charge capacities, but the wellgraphitized samples maintained 91.5% of their original charge capacities. The effects of charge-discharge rates and cycling temperature on lithium insertion properties of carbon nanotubes with different extents of graphitization are discussed.

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The structure and anodic performance of boron-doped and undoped mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) have been comparatively studied and the results obtained by XPS, XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements are discussed. It is found that boron doping introduces a depressed d(002) spacing and the larger amount of "unorganized carbon", which induces vacancy formation in the graphite planes and leads to a quite different morphology from that of the undoped material. Electrochemical charge/discharge cycle tests indicated that after boron doping the lithium intercalation was carried through at a somewhat higher potential, being attended by greater irreversible capacity loss

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by the catalytic decomposition of methane at 773, 873 and 973 K. Structures of these carbon nanotubes were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, XRD and Raman spectra, respectively. The results showed that with the increase of preparation temperature, the d(002) value of the CNTs decreased, while the L-a values and the degree of crystallihity of the samples increased. Electrochemical lithium insertion properties of the CNTs used as positive electrodes in CNTs/Li cells were also investigated. The first charge capacities of CNTs/Li cells were 290, 254 and 202 mAh/g for samples produced at 773, 873 and 973 K, respectively. The sample from 773 K showed a larger charge capacity, which is attributed to the accommodation of lithium at microcavities, at edges of graphitic layers and at the surface of single graphitic layers. Its potential hysteresis during U insertion and deinsertion processes may be related to the interstitial carbon atoms