Fabrication of Si Nanoparticles@Conductive Carbon Framework@Polymer Composite as High-Areal-Capacity Anode of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Low-cost and scalable processes to fabricate Si-based anodes with high areal capacity and excellent cycling performance remain a challenge, thereby limiting their widespread application. Herein, we report Si nanoparticles@conductive carbon framework@polymer (Si@C@P) composite electrodes, in which Si nanoparticles are homogeneously immobilized within a three-dimensional network of conductive carbon nanofibers bound by a high-viscosity polymer. When used as anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the obtained Si@C@P composite electrodes deliver an initial coulombic efficiency of 83.5 % and an areal capacity of 2.0 mAh cm−2 (1152 mAh g-1electrode), with a capacity retention about 0.8 mAh cm−2 (466 mAh g-1electrode) after 150 discharge–charge cycles at 0.1 C. This work provides a low-cost route for the large-scale manufacture of Si-based anodes with high areal capacity, which may be very significant for the development of lithium-ion batteries with high energy density.