Abstract
Synthesised via planetary ball-milling of Si and Fe powders in an ammonia (NH3) environment, a hybrid Si@FeSiy/SiOx structure shows exceptional electrochemical properties for lithium-ion battery anodes, exhibiting a high initial capacity of 1150 mA h g−1 and a retention capacity of 880 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 100 mA g−1; and a capacity of 560 mA h g−1 at 4000 mA g−1. These are considerably high for carbon-free micro-/submicro-Si-based anodes. NH3 gradually turns into N2 and H2 during the synthesis, which facilitates the formation of highly conductive FeSiy (y = 1, 2) phases, whereas such phases were not formed in an Ar atmosphere. Milling for 20–40 h leads to partial decomposition of NH3 in the atmosphere, and a hybrid structure of a Si core of mixed nanocrystalline and amorphous Si domains, shelled by a relatively thick SiOx layer with embedded FeSi nanocrystallites. Milling for 60–100 h results in full decomposition of NH3 and a hybrid structure of a much-refined Si-rich core surrounded by a mantle of a relatively low level of SiOx and a higher level of FeSi2. The formation mechanisms of the SiOx and FeSiy phases are explored. The latter structure offers an optimum combination of the high capacity of a nanostructural Si core, relatively high electric conductivity of the FeSiy phase and high structural stability of a SiOx shell accommodating the volume change for high performance electrodes. The synthesis method is new and indispensable for the large-scale production of high-performance Si-based anode materials.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 10767-10776 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Materials Chemistry A |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 20 |
Early online date | 14 Apr 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |