Effect of Graphene on the Performance of Silicon–Carbon Composite Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

(Si/graphite)@C and (Si/graphite/graphene)@C were synthesized by coating asphalt-cracked carbon on the surface of a Si-based precursor by spray drying, followed by heat treatment at 1000 °C under vacuum for 2h. The impact of graphene on the performance of silicon–carbon composite-based anode materia...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chengyuan Ni, Chengdong Xia, Wenping Liu, Wei Xu, Zhiqiang Shan, Xiaoxu Lei, Haiqing Qin, Zhendong Tao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/3/754
Description
Summary:(Si/graphite)@C and (Si/graphite/graphene)@C were synthesized by coating asphalt-cracked carbon on the surface of a Si-based precursor by spray drying, followed by heat treatment at 1000 °C under vacuum for 2h. The impact of graphene on the performance of silicon–carbon composite-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) images of (Si/graphite/graphene)@C showed that the nano-Si and graphene particles were dispersed on the surface of graphite, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves indicated that the content of silicon in the (Si/graphite/graphene)@C was 18.91%. More bituminous cracking carbon formed on the surface of the (Si/graphite/graphene)@C due to the large specific surface area of graphene. (Si/Graphite/Graphene)@C delivered first discharge and charge capacities of 860.4 and 782.1 mAh/g, respectively, initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 90.9%, and capacity retention of 74.5% after 200 cycles. The addition of graphene effectively improved the cycling performance of the Si-based anode materials, which can be attributed to the reduction of electrochemical polarization due to the good structural stability and high conductivity of graphene.
ISSN:1996-1944