Facile preparation of micron-sized silicon-graphite-carbon composite as anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Silicon/carbon (Si/C) composites have become the mainstream anodes for silicon-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with outstanding stability and high capacity, in which carbon can significantly stabilize the silicon anodes. Currently, most Si/C composites use nano-silicon as raw materials, which suffer from low energy density, high price and preparation complexity. Here, we have developed a silicon-graphite-carbon ternary composite (Si-G-C-15) with cheap micron-sized silicon as raw materials. It was prepared by ball-milling of micron silicon and graphite and subsequent carbonization of PAN, followed by NaOH selective etching. Electrochemical test results demonstrate that Si-G-C-15 can possess a reversible capacity of 965 mAh/g at 200 mA/g, with a capacity retention of 71.34% and 786 mAh/g at a high current density of 1 A/g after 100 cycles. Notably, this facile preparation process of silicon anodes with high rates and good capacity stability highlights the potential practical application. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study presents the development of a silicon-graphite-carbon ternary composite using inexpensive micron-sized silicon, showcasing its potential for high rates and good capacity stability, and achieving significant electrochemical performance.