Effect of MgO on electrochemical properties of silicon-based anode composite material

A silicon (Si)/magnesia (MgO)/graphite composite (denoted as SMG@C) was synthesized by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) via the reduction of silica (SiO) by magnesium (Mg) and subsequent addition of graphite, followed by pitch pyrolysis for carbon coating. The particles of MgO in the SMG@C were removed by hydrogen chloride (HCl) leaching to form the Si/graphite composite (denoted as SG@C). The microstructural characteristics of the two composite materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and their electrochemical properties were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and capacity cycling tests. Results indicated that the a homogeneous mixture of nanoscale Si and MgO was fabricated by HEBM, and some of the Si and MgO formed a specific crystallographically coherent interface which was determined as Si(220)//MgO(200). The values of Warburg coefficient for SMG@C and SG@C were determined to be 1.84 Ω/S 1/2 and 203.42 Ω/S 1/2 , respectively. When the SMG@C anode composite material was cycled for 440 cycles at a current density of 200 mA/g, its reversible capacity retention rate was 87.8%, showing excellent long-cycle performance compared to the SG@C. The presence of MgO in the anode composite material greatly improved the electrochemical properties. • An extraordinary coherent structure of Si(220)//MgO(200) to enhance the interface strength, inhibit Si expansion. • The presence of MgO effectively reduced the electrochemical impedance. • An excellent long-cycle stability with the capacity retention rate of 87.8% after 440 cycles.