Constructing a Stable Conductive Network for High-Performance Silicon-Based Anode in Lithium-Ion Batteries

The application of carbon nanotubes to silicon nanoparticles has been used to improve the electrical conductivity of silicon–carbon anodes and prevent agglomeration of silicon nanoparticles during cycling. In this study, the composites are synthesized through an uncomplicated technique that involves the ultrasonication mixing of pyrene derivatives and carbon nanotubes and the formation of complexes with silicon nanoparticles in ultrasonic dispersion and magnetic stirring and then treated under vacuum. When the prepared composites are applied as lithium-ion battery anodes, the Si@(POH-AOCNTs) electrode displays a high reversible capacity of 3254.7 mAh g–1 at a current density of 0.1 A g–1. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent cycling stability with a specific capacity of 1195.8 mAh g–1 after 500 cycles at 1.0 A g–1. The superior electrochemical performance may be attributed to a large π-conjugated electron system of pyrene derivatives, which prompts the formation of a homogeneous CNTs conductive network and ensures the effective electron transfer, while the interaction between hydroxyl functional groups of hydroxypyrene and binder synergizes with CNTs network to further enhance the cycling stability of the composite.