Prelithiated rigid polymer with high ionic conductivity as silicon-based anode binder for lithium-ion battery

Silicon-based electrodes suffer from rapid performance degradation derived from a severe volume expansion during cycling in lithium-ion batteries, and using elaborately designed polymer binders is deemed an efficient tactic to tackle the above thorny issues. In this study, a water-soluble rigid-rod poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT) polymer is described and employed as the binder for Si-based electrodes for the first time. The nematic rigid PBDT bundles wrapped around the Si nanoparticles by hydrogen bonding effectively inhibit the volume expansion of the Si and promote the formation of stable solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI). Moreover, the prelithiated PBDT binder with high ionic conductivity (3.2 × 10^-4 S cm^-1) not only improves the Li-ions transportation behaviors in the electrode but can also partially compensate for the irreversible Li source consumption during SEI formation. Consequently, the cycling stability and initial coulombic efficiency of the Si-based electrodes with the PBDT binder are remarkably enhanced compared to that with the PVDF binder. This work demonstrates the molecular structure and prelithiation strategy of the polymer binder that play a crucial role in improving the performance of Si-based electrodes with high-volume expansion.

Carbon skeleton materials derived from rare earth phthalocyanines (MPcs) (M = Yb, La) used as high performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this work, novel carbon skeleton materials were prepared by high-temperature carbonization of rare earth phthalocyanines (MPcs) (M = Yb, La) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting carbon materials of YbPc-900 (carbonisation temperature of 900 °C for 2 h) and LaPc-1000 (carbonization temperature of 1000 °C for 2 h) have a graphite-layered structure in predominantly ordered states, with a smaller particle size, a larger specific surface area and a higher degree of hard carbonization compared to those of the uncarbonized sample. As a result, the batteries using the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 carbon skeleton materials as electrodes display excellent energy storage behaviors. The initial capacities of the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 electrodes at 0.05 A g^-1 were 1100 and 850 mA h g^-1, respectively. After 245 cycles and 223 cycles, the capacities remain at 780 and 716 mA h g^-1 with retention ratios of 71% and 84%. At a high rate of 1.0 A g^-1, the initial capacities of the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 electrodes were 400 and 520 mA h g^-1, respectively, and after 300 cycles, the capacities can still remain at 526 and 587 mA h g^-1 with retention ratios of 131.5% and 112.8%, respectively, which were much higher than those of the pristine rare earth phthalocyanine (MPc) (M = Yb, La) electrodes. Moreover, better rate capabilities were also observed during the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 electrode tests. The capacities of the YbPc-900 electrode at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2C were 520, 450, 407, 350, 300 and 260 mA h g^-1 respectively, which were higher than those of the YbPc electrode (550, 450, 330, 150, 90 and 40 mA h g^-1). Similarly, the rate performance of the LaPc-1000 electrode at different rates was also significantly improved compared to that of the pristine LaPc electrode. In addition, the initial Coulomb efficiencies of the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 electrodes were also greatly improved compared to those of pristine YbPc and LaPc electrodes. After carbonization, the YbPc-900 and LaPc-1000 carbon skeleton materials derived from rare earth phthalocyanines (MPcs) (M = Yb, La) exhibit improved energy storage behaviors, which would provide new ideas for developing novel organic carbon skeleton negative materials for lithium ion batteries.

Modified preparation of Si@C@TiO2 porous microspheres as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Microscale porous silicon materials have shown great application potential as anodes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); however, they face significant challenges, including mechanical structure instability, low intrinsic conductivity, and uncontrollable processing. In this study, a modified etching strategy combined with a facile sol-gel method is demonstrated to prepare microscale porous Si microspheres encapsulated by an inner amorphous carbon shell (≈10 nm) and an outer rigid anatase titanium oxide (TiO₂) shell (≈20 nm) (PSi@C@TiO₂), with the intact porous framework and core-shell-shell spherical structure. The interconnected pores can sufficiently accommodate the expansion of the Si core during lithiation. Moreover, the double shells can not only enhance the kinetic behavior of the PSi@C@TiO₂ microspheres, but can act as a compact fence to force the Si core to expand toward the internal pores during lithiation, ensuring the integrity of the porous spherical structure. As a result, the PSi@C@TiO₂ anodes show greatly superior high specific capacity, excellent rate capability, stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) films and steady mechanical structure. It delivers a high reversible capacity of 1004 mA h g^-1 after 250 cycles at 0.5 A g^-1. This study provides a modified method to prepare microscale porous Si anodes with a stable mechanical structure and long cycle life for LIBs.

One-dimensional N-doped carbon nanofibers produced by pre-oxide treatment for effective lithium storage

Amorphous carbon materials have been confirmed as attractive anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Herein, an effective strategy to fabricate amorphous carbon materials at low temperature under air atmosphere is proposed. As demonstrated, one-dimensional nitrogen-doping carbon nanofibers were obtained through simple electrospinning technology, following low-temperature heat treatment. Meanwhile, the nitrogen-doping concentration can be regulated by the heating temperature, which can further introduce different levels of adsorption sites on the surface of carbon and enhance the electronic conductivity. Based on experimental investigation, carbon nanofibers with a high nitrogen doping concentration of 18.1 at% achieved an outstanding cycling durability (194.0 mA h g^-1 at 2.0 A g^-1 after 2000 cycles).

Strategies for Controlling or Releasing the Influence Due to the Volume Expansion of Silicon inside Si-C Composite Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Currently, silicon is considered among the foremost promising anode materials, due to its high capacity, abundant reserves, environmental friendliness, and low working potential. However, the huge volume changes in silicon anode materials can pulverize the material particles and result in the shedding of active materials and the continual rupturing of the solid electrolyte interface film, leading to a short cycle life and rapid capacity decay. Therefore, the practical application of silicon anode materials is hindered. However, carbon recombination may remedy this defect. In silicon/carbon composite anode materials, silicon provides ultra-high capacity, and carbon is used as a buffer, to relieve the volume expansion of silicon; thus, increasing the use of silicon-based anode materials. To ensure the future utilization of silicon as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, this review considers the dampening effect on the volume expansion of silicon particles by the formation of carbon layers, cavities, and chemical bonds. Silicon-carbon composites are classified herein as coated core-shell structure, hollow core-shell structure, porous structure, and embedded structure. The above structures can adequately accommodate the Si volume expansion, buffer the mechanical stress, and ameliorate the interface/surface stability, with the potential for performance enhancement. Finally, a perspective on future studies on Si-C anodes is suggested. In the future, the rational design of high-capacity Si-C anodes for better lithium-ion batteries will narrow the gap between theoretical research and practical applications.

Flexible Porous Silicon/Carbon Fiber Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

We demonstrate a cross−linked, 3D conductive network structure, porous silicon@carbon nanofiber (P−Si@CNF) anode by magnesium thermal reduction (MR) and the electrospinning methods. The P−Si thermally reduced from silica (SiO₂) preserved the monodisperse spheric morphology which can effectively achieve good dispersion in the carbon matrix. The mesoporous structure of P–Si and internal nanopores can effectively relieve the volume expansion to ensure the structure integrity, and its high specific surface area enhances the multi−position electrical contact with the carbon material to improve the conductivity. Additionally, the electrospun CNFs exhibited 3D conductive frameworks that provide pathways for rapid electron/ion diffusion. Through the structural design, key basic scientific problems such as electron/ion transport and the process of lithiation/delithiation can be solved to enhance the cyclic stability. As expected, the P−Si@CNFs showed a high capacity of 907.3 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ and excellent cycling performance, with 625.6 mAh g⁻¹ maintained even after 300 cycles. This work develops an alternative approach to solve the key problem of Si nanoparticles’ uneven dispersion in a carbon matrix.

Enhanced lithium storage performance of porous Si/C composite anodes using a recrystallized NaCl template

Silicon (Si) has recently aroused great interest as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries with high energy density due to its high theoretical capacity. However, the application of Si remains a great challenge owing to its extremely large volume change during cycling, thus resulting in dramatic capacity fading. Herein, a novel structure design of the porous Si/C composite with Si nanoparticles embedded in the carbon nanosheets has been successfully achieved by using a recrystallized NaCl template with appropriate particle size. The outermost sheet-like carbon coating can improve the electronic conductivity and contribute to the formation of a more stable solid-electrolyte interphase layer, while the inner void space effectively buffers the volume expansion of Si during the lithiation process. In addition, only a structure with Si particles anchored on the surface of carbon nanosheets has been obtained by using a commercial NaCl template with large particle size, confirming the effective regulation of the NaCl template in the microstructure and thus the electrochemical properties of the Si/C composites. As expected, benefiting from the combination of the outermost carbon coating and recrystallized NaCl-derived porous structure, the as-obtained Si/C composite demonstrates attractive cycling stability and rate performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Recent Developments of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures for High-Rate Lithium Ion Batteries

Lithium ion batteries have been considered as a promising energy-storage solution, the performance of which depends on the electrochemical properties of each component, including cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator. Currently, fast charging is becoming an attractive research field due to the widespread application of batteries in electric vehicles, which are designated to replace conventional diesel automobiles in the future. In these batteries, rate capability, which is closely linked to the topology and morphology of electrode materials, is one of the determining parameters of interest. It has been revealed that nanotechnology is an exceptional tool in designing and preparing cathodes and anodes with outstanding electrochemical kinetics due to the well-known nanosizing effect. Nevertheless, the negative effects of applying nanomaterials in electrodes sometimes outweigh the benefits. To better understand the exact function of nanostructures in solid-state electrodes, herein, a comprehensive review is provided beginning with the fundamental theory of lithium ion transport in solids, which is then followed by a detailed analysis of several major factors affecting the migration of lithium ions in solid-state electrodes. The latest developments in characterisation techniques, based on either electrochemical or radiology methodologies, are covered as well. In addition, state-of-the-art research findings are provided to illustrate the effect of nanomaterials and nanostructures in promoting the rate performance of lithium ion batteries. Finally, several challenges and shortcomings of applying nanotechnology in fabricating high-rate lithium ion batteries are summarised.