A novel 3D porous pseudographite/Si/Ni composite anode material fabricated by a facile method

A novel 3D porous pseudographite/Si/Ni (PG/Si/Ni) composite was prepared by a facile low-temperature calcination method using saturable starch and NiCl2·6H2O as precursors. The pseudographite matrix of PG/Si/Ni was obtained from the reaction between starch and NiCl2·6H2O during the calcination process. Compared to the C/Si electrode, the PG/Si/Ni electrode delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 659.66 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 even after 2000 cycles. In addition, the PG/Si/Ni electrode shows superior rate performance and still maintains a high specific capacity of 1324.01 mA h g-1 when the cycle current density returns to 0.1 A g-1. The porous pseudographite structure is able to improve Li+ diffusion efficiency, reduce pulverization and lead to the formation of stable SEI layers during the cycling process. Therefore, these results suggest that the 3D porous pseudographite/Si/Ni composite is a promising novel anode material. Besides, the low-temperature synthesis method of the pseudographite matrix can be applied for further modification of carbon-based Si anode materials.