Silicon Nanoparticles with a Polymer-Derived Carbon Shell for Improved Lithium-Ion Batteries: Investigation into Volume Expansion, Gas Evolution, and Particle Fracture

2018 
Silicon (Si) and composites thereof, preferably with carbon (C), show favorable lithium (Li) storage properties at low potential, and thus hold promise for application as anode active materials in the energy storage area. However, the high theoretical specific capacity of Si afforded by the alloying reaction with Li involves many challenges. In this article, we report the preparation of small-size Si particles with a turbostratic carbon shell from a polymer precoated powder material. Galvanostatic charge/discharge experiments conducted on electrodes with practical loadings resulted in much improved capacity retention and kinetics for the Si/C composite particles compared to physical mixtures of pristine Si particles and carbon black, emphasizing the positive effect that the core–shell-type morphology has on the cycling performance. Using in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, pressure, and acoustic emission measurements, we gain insights into the gassing behavior, the bulk volume expansio...
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