An efficient prelithiation of graphene oxide nanoribbons wrapping silicon nanoparticles for stable Li+ storage

Abstract In this study, silicon nanoparticles are encapsulated by graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) to form a three-dimensional conductive network by an electrostatic-induced self-assemble process. The flexible and interlaced network of GONRs can not only enhance the electrical conductivity of the composite, but also accommodate the drastic volume change during the charge-discharge process. The optimal Si/GONRs-0.4 composite delivers a high rate capacity of 730 mA h g−1 at 6 A g−1 and maintains the reversible capacity of 1185 mA h g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 over 500 cycles. In particular,a direct contact prelithiation is used to improve the initial coulombic efficiency. The optimal prelithiation enable to achieve the high initial coulombic efficiency of 97.1% as well as excellent cycling stability that remains 1235 mA h g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 and 969 mA h g−1 at 2.0 A g−1 after 500 cycles, respectively. We hope that the Si/GONRs-0.4 composite after 5 min prelithiation with high specific capacity, excellent cycling stability and high initial coulombic efficiency has great potential to become the next-generation anode material for LIBs.