| abstract |
Provided is an anode particulate or a solid mass of particulates for a lithium battery, the particulate comprising a graphite matrix and a single or a plurality of carbon foam-protected primary particles of an anode active material embedded or dispersed in said graphite matrix, wherein the primary particles of anode active material contain at least one porous particle having a surface pore, internal pore, or both surface and internal pores, having a pore volume of Vpp and a solid volume Va, the carbon foam contains pores having a pore volume Vp, and the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.1/1.0 to 5.0/1.0 or a total pore-to-solid volume ratio (Vp + Vpp)/Va is from 0.3/1.0 to 10/1.0 and wherein the carbon foam is physically or chemically connected to the graphite matrix and the primary anode particles. The carbon foam is preferably reinforced with a high-strength material. |