Effect of silicon content over Fe-Cu-Si/C based composite anode for lithium ion battery

Abstract

Two different anode composite materials comprising of Fe, Cu and Si prepared using high energy ball milling (HEBM) were explored for their capacity and cycling behaviors. Prepared powder composites in the ratio Cu:Fe:Si = 1:1:2.5 and 1:1:3.5 were characterized through X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Nevertheless, the XRD shows absence of any new alloy/compound formation upon ball milling, the elements present in Cu(1)Fe(1)Si(2.5)/Graphite composite along with insito generated Li2O demonstrate a superior anodic behavior and delivers a reversible capacity of 340 mAh/g with a high coulombic efficiency (98%). The higher silicon content Cu(1)Fe(1)Si(3.5) along with graphite could not sustain capacity with cycling possibly due to ineffective buffer action of the anode constituents.