Electrochemical properties of core-shell nano-Si@carbon composites as superior anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries

Chen, H., Hou, X., Qu, L., Qin, H., Ru, Q., Huang, Y., Hu, S. and Lam, K.-h. (2017) Electrochemical properties of core-shell nano-Si@carbon composites as superior anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 28, pp. 250-258. (doi: 10.1007/s10854-016-5518-x)

Abstract

Si@carbon composites have been successfully prepared via spray drying and subsequent calcination using PSA microspheres, nano-silicon and natural graphite as raw materials. Nano-silicon with a 20–100 nm particle size is prepared by radio-frequency electromagnetic induction. Such small nano-silicon particles can effectively accommodate the volume expansion of the Si@carbon anode. Additionally, the unique core–shell structure of Si@carbon composites can effectively alleviate the agglomeration of nano-silicon particles. Electrochemical tests show that the Si/carbon electrode delivers a high initial discharge capacity of approximately 1404.27 mAh g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of 82.4 %. The discharge specific capacity remains as high as 73.6 % after 100 charging-discharging cycles, demonstrating the electrode material’s good cycle stability. In addition, the corresponding specific capacity of the Si@carbon composites electrode remains at around 1150 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. And when the current density is 0.1 A g−1, its specific capacity can still remain at around 920 mAh g−1, indicating excellent capacity reversibility. Therefore, Si@carbon composites are superior anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lam, Dr Koko
• Authors: Chen, H., Hou, X., Qu, L., Qin, H., Ru, Q., Huang, Y., Hu, S., and Lam, K.-h.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0957-4522
• ISSN (Online): 1573-482X

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