Si@C nanosponges application for lithium ions batteries synthesized by templated magnesiothermic route

Carbon coated silicon nanosponges (Si@C NSs) used for anode in lithium ion batteries have been synthesized at a large scale via a templated magnesiothermic route, in which cheap ZnO nanoclusters and non-toxic glucose were employed to serve as sacrificial template and carbon source, respectively. The microstructure of Si@C Ns and its electrochemical performance in lithium ion batteries were investigated in detail. A reversible capacity with little fading after 500 cycles was obtained and the possible reasons for such superiority were discussed. The present results indicate potential application of the as-obtained Si@C NSs in lithium ion batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.