Flexible and ultralight MXene paper as a current collector for microsized porous silicon anode in high-energy lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Silicon (Si) is a new candidate anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The porous treatment of Si anode has been proved to be effective. In order to improve the interface performance and energy density of batteries, we start from the current collector (CC) and make further improvements. Combined with the advantages of new two-dimensional material MXene in electrochemical aspects, we make MXene replace the traditional Cu foil as CC of Si anode. The prepared MXene paper is both flexible and lightweight. After coating the Si slurry on it, the assembled half cells and 5 V-class full cells can achieve normal lithium-ion intercalation and deintercalation. Moreover, compared with the battery using Cu current collector, the volume expansion of porous silicon in the battery with MXene is further alleviated, and the cycle stability performance is also improved.