Flexible Porous Silicon/Carbon Fiber Anode for High−Performance Lithium−Ion Batteries

Abstract

We demonstrate a cross−linked, 3D conductive network structure, porous silicon@carbon nanofiber (P−Si@CNF) anode by magnesium thermal reduction (MR) and the electrospinning methods. The P−Si thermally reduced from silica (SiO2) preserved the monodisperse spheric morphology which can effectively achieve good dispersion in the carbon matrix. The mesoporous structure of P–Si and internal nanopores can effectively relieve the volume expansion to ensure the structure integrity, and its high specific surface area enhances the multi−position electrical contact with the carbon material to improve the conductivity. Additionally, the electrospun CNFs exhibited 3D conductive frameworks that provide pathways for rapid electron/ion diffusion. Through the structural design, key basic scientific problems such as electron/ion transport and the process of lithiation/delithiation can be solved to enhance the cyclic stability. As expected, the P−Si@CNFs showed a high capacity of 907.3 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and excellent cycling performance, with 625.6 mAh g−1 maintained even after 300 cycles. This work develops an alternative approach to solve the key problem of Si nanoparticles’ uneven dispersion in a carbon matrix.