From scaled-up production of silicon-graphene nanocomposite to the realization of an ultra-stable full-cell Li-ion battery

Abstract

Abstract The realization of a high-performance Li-ion full-cell with an anode prominently based on silicon, which can surpass the energy densities of commercial graphite-based Li-ion batteries and cyclability compatible for industrial applications, is still a challenge. Here, we report a Li-ion full-cell that combines a silicon/graphene/carbon (Si/G/C) nanocomposite anodic material, with a commercial LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 (NMC111) cathode. Using a pre-lithiation technique, the proposed Li-ion full-cell exhibits an energy density of ∼400 Wh kg−1 at the electrode material level, with a capacity >1.6 mAh cm−2 and a capacity retention exceeding 90% after 300 cycles at C/2. These performances have been achieved by properly designing the anode material composed by Si nanoparticles wrapped by few-layer graphene flakes. An additional carbon coating is used to further improve the electron conductivity and mechanical integrity of the anodic structure upon charge/discharge cycles. The remarkable performance of the full-cell considering the scalability of the Si-based anode synthesis is a step forward towards the commercialization of high-capacity and high-energy density Li-ion batteries.