Strategy for enhanced performance of silicon nanoparticle anodes for lithium-ion batteries - RSC Advances (RSC Publishing)

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, a hydrothermal method using low-cost glucose as a precursor to carbon was utilized to achieve spherical carbon encapsulation of commercial silicon nanoparticles, which enhanced the electrical conductivity while buffering the expansion of Si NPs during the discharging and charging process. In addition, a thin amorphous TiO2 layer was covered on the outer surface of the composite electrode, forming a stable SEI layer on the external surface of the electrode, which further improved the cycling stability of the composite electrode. Based on such a structural design, the new Si/s-C@TiO2 composite exhibited 780 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99%. Such performance was at the forefront compared to those of other reports for the protection of Si NPs (Table S5†). In a word, our dual protection strategy provides good results for structural optimization of silicon negative electrodes, but also it provides insights for improving other potential electrode materials with inhibiting their large volume variations of the counterparts.