An effective coupling of nanostructured Si and gel polymer electrolytes for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes. Issue 9 (18th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bok, Taesoo; Cho, Sung-Ju; Choi, Sinho; Choi, Keun-Ho; Park, Hyungmin; Lee, Sang-Young; Park, Soojin
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 9(2016)
• Page Start: 6960
• Page End: 6966
• Publication Date: 2016-01-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra24256h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : We demonstrate the convergence of various Si structures and gel-polymer electrolyte for high-performance Si-based battery anodes. It exhibits superior cycling stability and a half of volume expansion compared to liquid electrolyte cell. Abstract : Nanostructured silicon has garnered considerable attention as a promising lithium-ion battery anode material that can mitigate volume expansion-induced pulverization during electrochemical lithiation–delithiation reaction. However, the advantageous effect of the nanostructured silicon materials is often shadowed by electrochemically-vigorous liquid electrolytes. Herein, a variety of silicon particles featuring well-defined nanostructures were synthesized and then combined with chemically-crosslinked, triacrylate-based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), with an aim to pursue unprecedented synergistic coupling and its versatile applicability for high-performance silicon anodes. The silicon anode combined with the GPE showed a specific capacity of over 2000 mA h g −1 after 100 cycles, excellent discharge rate capability (capacity of 80% at 5.0C with respect to 0.2C), and volume change of 53% relative to a control system (silicon anode/liquid electrolyte). Excellent flexibility of the GPE with reliable electrochemical properties is believed to play a viable role as a mechanical cushion that can alleviate the stress and strain of silicon materials inevitably generated during repeated charge/discharge cycling. The nanostructured silicon/GPE-based coupling strategy presented herein opens a new way to enable a significant improvement in the electrochemical performance and long-term durability of high-capacity silicon anodes.