Graphene Encapsulated Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites for High and Low Power Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

In this paper, a graphene decorated SiC nanomaterial (graphene@SiC) fabricated via a facile adiabatic process was physicochemically characterised, then applied as a supercapacitor material and as an anode within a Li-ion battery (LIB). The reported graphene@SiC nanomaterial demonstrated excellent supercapacitative behaviour with a relatively high power density and specific capacitance of 4800 W·kg−1 and 394 F·g−1, respectively. In terms of its capabilities as an anode within an LIB, the layered-graphene overwhelms the Li-intercalation, which is reflected in the obtained specific capacity of 150 mAh·g−1, with a columbic efficiency of ~99% (after 450 cycles) at a current of 100 mA·g−1.