A Facile, One-Step Synthesis of Silicon/Silicon Carbide/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite as a Cycling-Stable Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Silicon/carbon nanotube (Si/CNTs) nanocomposite is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Challenges related to the tricky synthesis process, as well as the weak interaction between Si and CNTs, hinder practical applications. To address these issues, a facile, one-step method to synthesize Si/CNTs nanocomposite by using silica (SiO2) as a reactant via a magnesium reduction process was developed. In this synthesis, the heat released enables the as-obtained Si to react with CNTs in the interfacial region to form silicon carbide (SiC). By virtue of the unique structure composed of Si nanoparticles strongly anchored to conductive CNTs network with stable Si–C chemical bonding, the Si/SiC/CNT nanocomposite delivers a stable capacity of ~1100 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of about 83.8% after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1. Our studies may provide a convenient strategy for the preparation of the Si/C anode of LIBs.