Excavated carbon with embedded Si nanoparticles for ultrafast lithium storage

Due to their excellent mechanical durability and high electrical conductivity, carbon and silicon composites are potentially suitable anode materials for Li-ion batteries with high capacity and long lifespan. Nevertheless, the limitations of the composites include their poor ionic diffusion at high current densities during cycling, which leads to low ultrafast performance. In the present study, seeking to improve the ionic diffusion using hydrothermal method, electrospinning, and carbonization, we demonstrate the unique design of excavated carbon and silicon composites (EC/Si). The outstanding energy storage performance of EC/Si electrode provides a discharge specific capacity, impressive rate performance, and ultrafast cycling stability. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.