The preparation of Si/SiC composites by magnesium heat reduction of SiO2 aerogel and study on electrochemistry properties

Silicon, an anode material for lithium ion batteries, has the highest theoretical specific capacity (similar to 4200 mAh/g). The actual lithium storage capacity of similar to 3579 mAh/g is about 10 times that of the graphite anode materials class. This study involves magnesium heat reduction of the SiO2 preparation of silicon carbon composites. The Si/SiC composite shows a high initial specific capacity of 1406.7 mAh/g with a current density of 0.1 A/g. The morphology and pore size inherited from the SiO2 aerogel counteracts the volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process. This paper provides an articulate methodology for designing silicon anode material for high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.