Graphene confined intermetallic magnesium silicide nanocrystals with highly exposed (220) facets for anisotropic lithium storage

Intermetallic Magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) is regarded as a promising electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), by virtue of its desirable electrochemical activity, high theoretical capacity, suitable voltage profiles, and lightweight. Nevertheless, its practical application is still hindered by poor electrochemical kinetics and rapid capacity fading. Herein, high-purity intermetallic Mg2Si nanocrystals (NCs) encapsulated by graphene-layer matrix (Mg2Si@G) are designed for advanced lithium storage. The graphene-confined Mg2Si NCs, featuring with high-purity, highly exposed (220) facets and nanopores, are fabricated via a facile hydrogen-driven silicification and subsequent freeze-drying process. Combined DFT calculations and experimental studies illustrate an anisotropic lithium storage of Mg2Si, exhibiting rapid Li-ions migration path along exposed (220) facets and highly reversible solid solution behavior. Benefiting from the desirable structure features and interactions, Mg2Si@G ensures a spatially confined (de)lithiation with high electrochemical activity and fast electronic/ionic transport kinetics, leading to largely enhanced lithium storage performance. The resulting Mg2Si@G electrode delivers a high capacity (100th capacity of 831 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1), outstanding rate capability and longterm cycle stability (3000th capacity of 578 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1). This work presents a new perspective towards the rational development of well-performing Mg2Si materials for lithium storage.

Automated summary

Intermetallic Mg2Si nanocrystals encapsulated by graphene have been designed for advanced lithium storage, showing enhanced lithium storage performance with rapid Li-ions migration along exposed facets and reversible solid solution behavior. The resulting electrode demonstrates high capacity, outstanding rate capability, and longterm cycle stability, presenting a new perspective for the development of Mg2Si materials for lithium storage.