Si nanoparticles encapsulated in elastic hollow carbon fibres for Li-ion battery anodes with high structural stability

Unraveling the New Role of Metal-Organic Frameworks in Designing Silicon Hollow Nanocages for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived materials are attracting considerable attention because of the moldability in compositions and structures, enabling greater performances in diverse applications. However, the nanostructural control of multicomponent MOF-based complexes remains challenging due to the complexity of reaction mechanisms. Herein, we present a surface-induced self-nucleation-growth mechanism for the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) to prepare a new type of ZIF-8@SiO₂ polyhedral nanoparticles. We discover that the Zn hydroxide moieties (Zn-OH) within ZIF-8 can trigger the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate effectively on the ZIF-8 surface precisely, avoiding the formation of free orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)₄) successfully. This is a pioneering work to elucidate the importance of MOF surface properties for preparing multicomponent materials. Then, a novel well-dispersed silicon hollow nanocage (H-Si@C) modified by the carbon was prepared after removal of the ZIF-8 and magnesiothermic reduction. The as-prepared H-Si@C demonstrates an overwhelmingly high lithium storage capability and extraordinary stability in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly the impressive performances when it was matched with the LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ cathode in a full cell. The MOF surface-induced self-nucleation-growth strategy is useful for preparing more multifunctional materials, while the study of lithium storage performances of the H-Si@C material is practical for LIB applications.

Alloying Reaction Confinement Enables High-Capacity and Stable Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The current insertion anode chemistries are approaching their capacity limits; thus, alloying reaction anode materials with high theoretical specific capacity are investigated as potential alternatives for lithium-ion batteries. However, their performance is far from being satisfactory because of the large volume change and severe capacity decay that occurs upon lithium alloying and dealloying processes. To address these problems, we propose and demonstrate a versatile strategy that makes use of the electronic reaction confinement via the synthesis of ultrasmall Ge nanoparticles (10 nm) uniformly confined in a matrix of larger spherical carbon particles (Ge⊂C spheres). This architecture provides free pathways for electron transport and Li⁺ diffusion, allowing for the alloying reaction of the Ge nanoparticles. The thickness change of electrodes containing such a material, monitored byan in situ electrochemical dilatometer, is rather limited and reversible, confirming the excellent mechanical integrity of the confined electrode. As a result, these electrodes exhibit high reversible capacity (1310 mAh g^-1, 0.1C) and very impressive cycling ability (92% after 1000 cycles at 2C). A prototype device employing such an alloying electrode material in combination with LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ offers a high energy density of 250 Wh kg^-1.

Pulverization Control by Confining Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Individually into Macropores of Hollow Carbon Spheres for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries

In this article, double carbon shell hollow spheres which provide macropores (mC) for ultrasmall Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle (10-20 nm) encapsulation individually were first prepared (Fe₃O₄@mC). The well-constructed Fe₃O₄@mC electrode materials offer the feasibility to study the volume change, aggregation, and pulverization process of the active Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for Li-ion storage in a confined space. Fe₃O₄@mC exhibits excellent electrochemical performances and delivers a high capacity of 645 mA h g^-1 at 2 A g^-1 after 1000 cycles. Even at 10 A g^-1 or after 1000 cycles at 2 A g^-1, the porous carbon structure was well maintained and no obvious aggregation and pulverization of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was observed, although the volume of the active Fe₃O₄ particles was expanded to 40-60 nm compared to that of the original particles (10-20 nm). This can be due to the in situ embedment of one Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle into one macropore individually. The uniform dispersion and confinement of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the macropores of the carbon shell could effectively accommodate severe volume variations upon cycling and prevent self-aggregation and spreading out from the carbon shell during the expansion process of the nanoscale Fe₃O₄ particles, leading to improved capacity retention. Our work confirms the effectiveness for pulverization control by confining Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles individually into macropores to improve its Li-ion storage properties, providing a novel strategy for the design of new-structured anode materials for Li-ion batteries.

A self-assembled silicon/phenolic resin-based carbon core–shell nanocomposite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon, with advantages such as high theoretical capacity and relatively low working potential, has been regarded as promising when it is used for lithium-ion battery anodes. However, its practical application is impeded by the intrinsic low electrical conductivity and the dramatic volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process, which leads to a rapid capacity fading of the electrode. In this regard, we design silicon nanoparticles homogeneously coated with a phenolic resin-based carbon layer as a core–shell nanocomposite via a facile self-assembly method followed by carbonization. The surrounding carbon shell, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, is not only beneficial to the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interface film, but the electrical conductivity of the electrode is also enhanced. A high and stable specific capacity of nearly 1000 mA h g⁻¹ is achieved at C/3 after 200 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of >99.6%. The entire synthesis process is quite simple and easy to scale up, thus having great potential for commercial applications.

A self-assembled silicon/phenolic resin-based carbon core–shell nanocomposite is reported, which exhibits a high and stable reversible capacity and good rate capability.

Raspberry-like Nanostructured Silicon Composite Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Adjusting the particle size and nanostructure or applying carbon materials as the coating layers is a promising method to hold the volume expansion of Si for its practical application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, the mild carbon coating combined with a molten salt reduction is precisely designed to synthesize raspberry-like hollow silicon spheres coated with carbon shells (HSi@C) as the anode materials for LIBs. The HSi@C exhibits a remarkable electrochemical performance; a high reversible specific capacity of 886.2 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1 after 200 cycles is achieved. Moreover, even after 500 cycles at a current density of 2.0 A g^-1, a stable capacity of 516.7 mAh g^-1 still can be obtained.

A bio-inspired nanofibrous silicon/carbon composite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A nanofibrous silicon/carbon composite derived from a cellulose substance was fabricated, showing enhanced electrochemical performances as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Heterogeneous Si/MoSi2 Anodes Prepared by a Magnesiothermic Reduction

This work explores facile synthesis of heterogeneous Si/MoSi2 nanocomposites via a one-step magnesiothermic reduction. MoSi2 serves as a highly electrically conductive nanoparticle that has several advantages of electrochemical properties, which is formed through the absorption of local heat accumulation generated by magnesiothermic reduction. As a result, the Si/MoSi2 nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, showing initial charge capacity of 1933.9 mA h g(-1) at a rate of 0.2 C and retaining 85.2% after 150 cycles. This work using local heat accumulation generated by magnesiothermic reduction demonstrates a large-scale method for producing high-performance Si-based anode materials, which could provide referential significances for other materials.

A Deep Reduction and Partial Oxidation Strategy for Fabrication of Mesoporous Si Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries

A deep reduction and partial oxidation strategy to convert low-cost SiO2 into mesoporous Si anode with the yield higher than 90% is provided. This strategy has advantage in efficient mesoporous silicon production and in situ formation of several nanometers SiO2 layer on the surface of silicon particles. Thus, the resulted silicon anode provides extremely high reversible capacity of 1772 mAh g(-1), superior cycling stability with more than 873 mAh g(-1) at 1.8 A g(-1) after 1400 cycles (corresponding to the capacity decay rate of 0.035% per cycle), and good rate capability (∼710 mAh g(-1) at 18A g(-1)). These promising results suggest that such strategy for mesoporous Si anode can be potentially commercialized for high energy Li-ion batteries.

Highly cross-linked Cu/a-Si core-shell nanowires for ultra-long cycle life and high rate lithium batteries

Seeking long cycle lifetime and high rate performance are still challenging aspects to promote the application of silicon-loaded lithium ion batteries (LIBs), where optimal structural and compositional design are critical to maximize a synergistic effect in composite core-shell nanowire anode structures. We here propose and demonstrate a high quality conformal coating of an amorphous Si (a-Si) thin film over a matrix of highly cross-linked CuO nanowires (NWs). The conformal a-Si coating can serve as both a high capacity storage medium and a high quality binder that joins crossing CuO NWs into a continuous network. And the CuO NWs can be reduced into highly conductive Cu cores in low temperature H2 annealing. In this way, we have demonstrated an excellent cycling stability that lasts more than 700 (or 1000) charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 3.6 A g(-1) (or 1 A g(-1)), with a high capacity retention rate of 80%. Remarkably, these Cu/a-Si core-shell anode structures can survive an extremely high charging current density of 64 A g(-1) for 25 runs, and then recover 75% initial capacity when returning to 1 A g(-1). We also present the first and straightforward experimental proof that these robust highly-cross-linked core-shell networks can preserve the structural integrity even after 1000 runs of cycling. All these results indicate a new and convenient strategy towards a high performance Si-loaded battery application.

Well-constructed silicon-based materials as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes

Silicon has been considered as one of the most promising anode material alternates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, because of its high theoretical capacity, environmental friendliness, high safety, low cost, etc. Nevertheless, silicon-based anode materials (especially bulk silicon) suffer from severe capacity fading resulting from their low intrinsic electrical conductivity and great volume variation during lithiation/delithiation processes. To address this challenge, a few special constructions from nanostructures to anchored, flexible, sandwich, core-shell, porous and even integrated structures, have been well designed and fabricated to effectively improve the cycling performance of silicon-based anodes. In view of the fast development of silicon-based anode materials, we summarize their recent progress in structural design principles, preparation methods, morphological characteristics and electrochemical performance by highlighting the material structure. We also point out the associated problems and challenges faced by these anodes and introduce some feasible strategies to further boost their electrochemical performance. Furthermore, we give a few suggestions relating to the developing trends to better mature their practical applications in next-generation lithium-ion batteries.