Synthesis of SiO2/3D porous carbon composite as anode material with enhanced lithium storage performance

A SiO2/porous carbon nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile combined heat and acid treatments method. The nanocomposite featured a 3D porous carbon structure with amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles embedded in the wall of the pores. The microstructure improved the electrical conductivity, shortened the diffusion distance of lithium ions, and alleviated the volume expansion of SiO2 during Li intercalation. Accordingly, the SiO2/porous carbon nanocomposite displayed excellent cyclic performance with a high reversible capacity of 434 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles at 0.1 A g(-1) and rate capability delivering a capacity of 187.4 mAh g(-1) even at 5 A g(-1). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.