Synthesis of an all-carbon conjugated polymeric segment of carbon nanotubes and its application for lithium-ion batteries

The synthesis and potential applications of nanocarbon materials have attracted much attention in recent years. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel all-carbon conjugated polymeric segment of single-walled carbon nanotubes (poly(cyclo-para-phenylene) (PCPP)) and its first application as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The as-synthesized PCPP was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and other spectroscopies. The electrochemical characterization results show the suitability of PCPP as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Theoretical calculations indicate the unique structural and physical properties of PCPP. The realization of PCPP expands the scope of bottom-up synthesis of uniform carbon nanotube segments and their potential applications as new materials for lithium-ion batteries.