Electrospray synthesis of nano-Si encapsulated in graphite/carbon microplates as robust anodes for high performance lithium-ion batteries. Issue 3 (24th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Wen; Zhong, Yongming; Yang, Siyuan; Zhang, Shengsen; Yu, Xiaoyuan; Wang, Hongqiang; Li, Qingyu; Li, Jun; Cai, Xin; Fang, Yueping
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy & fuels. Volume 2:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 679
• Page End: 687
• Publication Date: 2018-01-24
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Electric batteries -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 660.297
• DOI: 10.1039/c7se00542c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2398-4902

Abstract

Abstract : Developing efficient Si-based anode materials for new-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has drawn extensive attention. Abstract : Developing efficient Si-based anode materials for new-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has drawn extensive attention. Here, an electrosprayed Si/graphite/carbon (Si/G/C) composite is explored as a prominent anode material for LIBs. The designed Si/G/C composite possesses a reasonable structure with nano-Si encapsulated in the conductive graphite flake/amorphous carbon framework. The Si/G/C composite achieves superior reversible Li + storage capability, showing a considerable discharge capacity of 832 mA h g −1 at 200 mA g −1 . Moreover, it realizes an encouraging capacity of ca. 400 mA h g −1 under a high current density of 500 mA g −1 after 200 cycles. The excellent capacity and rate performance can be attributed to the structural benefits of the Si/G/C composite: (i) the highly conductive graphite flakes serve as good dispersive scaffolds and electronic conductors, allowing for fast charge transfer and favorable ion diffusion; (ii) the amorphous carbon layer acts as a protective coating to bind/fix nano-Si onto graphite and reduce the formation of unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film; and (iii) both the layered graphite and amorphous carbon layer introduce adequate buffer space or voids to alleviate the volume changes of Si during the Li + insertion/extraction cycles. This high-capacitive and robust Si/graphite-based hybrid is attractive as an alternative anode material for practical rechargeable LIBs.