Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for preparing carbon materials which can be used in battery electrodes. More specifically, embodiments relate to methods for preparing hard carbon materials used as anode materials in metal-ion batteries, such as a sodium-ion battery. In one or more embodiments, a method includes exposing a liquid refinery hydrocarbon product to a first functionalization agent containing sulfur to produce a first solid functionalized product containing sulfur during a first functionalization process. The method further includes purifying the first solid functionalized product during a purification process and exposing the first solid functionalized product to a second functionalization agent containing oxygen to produce a second solid functionalized product containing sulfur and oxygen during a second functionalization process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to carbon materials for battery electrodes and methods for preparing such carbon materials. More specifically, embodiments relate to methods for coating a carbon film onto nano-ordered carbon particles to produce carbon-coated particles which can be used as an anode material within a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, other types of batteries. In one or more embodiments, a method for producing carbon-coated particles is provided and includes positioning nano-ordered carbon particles within a processing region of a processing chamber, purging the processing region containing the nano-ordered carbon particles with an inert gas, heating the nano-ordered carbon particles to a temperature of about 700° C. or greater during an annealing process, and depositing a carbon film on the nano-ordered carbon particles to produce carbon-coated particles during a vapor deposition process.