07 April 2013

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research on Using Silicon as Alternative Anode Materials


University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports on its research on carbon cross-linked Si/SiC nanospheres as the network building block and conducting film in lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society

Abstract: Carbon cross-linked Si/SiC nanosphere as advanced anode of lithium-ion batteries

Junhong Chen, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Phone: 414-229-2615
Email: jhchen@uwm.edu



Silicon-based materials have been demonstrated as promising alternative anode materials with a specific capacity as high as around 4,200 mAh g-1 at a relative low discharge potential; however, the conventional Si-based anode suffers from rapid degradation in capacity due to its poor electrical conductivity and huge volume change during charging-discharging processes. We herein report a rational design and controllable route to fabricate carbon cross-linked Si/SiC nanospheres, in which the carbon not only functions as the network building block but also acts as a conducting film. The preparation was realized through thermal reduction of cross-linked SiO2@C using magnesium powders as a reducing agent. The hierarchical Si/SiC/C nanostructures exhibited a capacitance of around 860 mAh g-1 after cycling for 100 cycles with capacity retention of above 65%. The as-developed method is envisaged to pave a promising way to prepare high performance Si-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

RELATED LINKS

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
American Chemical Society