Cross-linked Si@SiC nanowires prepared by vacuum DC arc method embedded in phenolic resin as high electrochemical performance anode active materials for lithium-ion batteries

Owing to the volume expansion of silicon-based materials during the lithium insertion and de-insertion process, it has been restricted in the commercial advancement of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, 1D crosslinked Si and SiC nanowires are successfully prepared via a facile vacuum DC arc method and embedded into the pyrolyzed amorphous carbon of phenolic resin (PF) so as to form a novel Si@SiC@PF nanocomposite anode for lithium-ion batteries. Vacuum DC arc method generates instantaneous high temperatures during the reaction process, so the reactant can be ionized into a plasma state and grows into nanomaterials with a specific morphology and stable structure during the condensation. The crosslinked nanowires structure provides sufficient pores and SiC serving as a buffer owing to its high Si-C bond energy can slow down the volume expansion of silicon active material during the electrochemical reaction process. And embedding it into amorphous carbon can improve the conductivity and cycle stability. The electrochemical performance shows the specific discharge capacity after 300 cycles of Si@SiC with PF mass ratio to 1:4 anode can be stable at 1132 mAh·g−1 at the 0.2 A·g−1 current density and has more superb rate capabilities.