Anode active material comprising metal nanocrystal composite, method of preparing the same, and anode and lithium battery having the material

摘要

Negative active materials including metal nanocrystal composites comprising metal nanocrystals having an average particle diameter of about 20 nm or less and a carbon coating layer are provided. The negative active material includes metal nanocrystals coated by a carbon layer, which decreases the absolute value of the change in volume during charge/discharge and decreases the formation of cracks in the negative active material resulting from a difference in the volume change rate during charge/discharge between metal and carbon. Therefore, high charge/discharge capacities and improved capacity retention capabilities can be obtained.