The Synergistic Effect of Aramid Nanofibers and Carbon Nanotubes on Micro‐Silicon Anodes for Improved Stability and Conductivity

Abstract

AbstractDespite the continuous development of energy storage, the challenges faced by micro‐silicon anode pulverization have yet to be effectively addressed. In this work, the aramid nanofibers (ANFs) are in situ protonated on the surface of silicon micro‐particles (SMPs), and also act as surfactants to bundle the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form ANF/CNT networks on SMPs (ANF/CNT/SMPs) at the same time. The results demonstrate that the dual‐coating not only inhibits expansion and enhances structural stability but also improves conductivity, thereby promoting the cycling stability of micro‐silicon anodes. The ANF/CNT/SMP anode shows cycling stability of 454 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles. The expansion in thickness of the ANF/CNT/SMP electrode can be reduced by 51.5% after 100 cycles compared with the SMP electrode. The findings provide a novel approach for mitigating expansion in micro‐silicon anodes through the combined coating of ANFs and CNTs.