Rice husk-derived SiOx@carbon nanocomposites as a high-performance bifunctional electrode for rechargeable batteries

This paper we use ZnCl2 to activates and reduces rice husks to produce SiOx@N-doped carbon core-shell nanocomposites with inner voids is a facile and effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performance. As an anode material for the lithium-ion batteries, the composites exhibit a high reversible capacity (1315 mAh g -1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1)) and long-term stability (584 mAh g(-1) after 500 cycles at 500 mA g(-1)). Such outstanding cycling stability is attributed to the small size of the SiOx particles with inner voids and the carbon layer coating can guarantee good structural integrity for long cycle stability. As a cathode material for Li-S batteries, the composite displays a high capacity and good stability (675 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.1C). Its good performance and facile preparation will improve the utilization of rice husk waste.