Facile Synthesis of Blocky SiOx/C with Graphite-Like Structure for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

SiOx-containing graphite composites have aroused great interests as the most promising alternatives for practical application in high-performance lithium-ion batteries. However, limited loading amount of SiOx on the surface of graphite and some inherent disadvantages of SiOx such as huge volume variation and poor electronic conductivity result in unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. Herein, a novel and facile fabrication approach is developed to synthesize high-performance SiOx/C composites with graphite-like structure in which SiOx particles are dispersed and anchored in the carbon materials by restoring original structure of artificial graphite. The multicomponent carbon materials are favorable for addressing the disadvantages of SiOx-based anodes, especially for the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase, maintaining structural integrity of electrode materials and improving electrical conductivity of electrode. The resultant SiOx/C anodes demonstrate high reversible capacities (645 mA h g(-1)), excellent cycling stability (approximate to 90% capacity retention for 500 cycles), and superior rate capabilities. Even at high pressing density (1.3 g cm(-3)), SiOx/C anodes still present superior cycling performance due to the high tap density and structural integrity of electrode materials. The proposed synthetic method can also be developed to address other anode materials with inferior electronic conductivity and huge volume variation.