Investigation of the Properties of Anode Electrodes for Lithium–Ion Batteries Manufactured Using Cu, and Si-Coated Carbon Nanowall Materials

Abstract

The fabrication of high-capacity, binder-free Li–ion battery anodes using a simple and efficient manufacturing process was reported in this research. The anode material for lithium–ion batteries utilized is a combination of two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanowalls (CNWs) and Cu nanoparticles (improved rate performance and capacity retention) or Si (high capacity) nanoparticles. A methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) gas mixture was employed to synthesize CNWs on copper foil through microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The Cu or Si nanoparticles were then deposited on the CNW surface using an RF magnetron sputtering equipment with four-inch targets. To analyze the electrochemical performance of the LIBs, CR2032 coin-type cells were fabricated using anode materials based on CNWs and other components. It was confirmed that the Cu−CNW demonstrates improved rate performance, increased specific capacity, and capacity retention compared with traditional anodes. Additionally, CNW combined with Si nanoparticles has enhanced the capacity of LIB and minimized volume changes during LIB operation.