Elastic a-Silicon Nanoparticle Backboned Graphene Hybrid as a Self-Compacting Anode for High-Rate Lithium Ion Batteries

Although various Si-based graphene nanocomposites provide enhanced electrochemical performance, these candidates still yield low initial coloumbic efficiency, electrical disconnection, and fracture due to huge volume changes after extended cycles lead to severe capacity fading and increase in internal impedance. Therefore, an innovative structure to solve these problems is needed. In this study, an amorphous (a) silicon nanoparticle backboned graphene nanocomposite (a-SBG) for high-power lithium ion battery anodes was prepared. The a-SBG provides ideal electrode structures—a uniform distribution of amorphous silicon nanoparticle islands (particle size <10 nm) on both sides of graphene sheets—which address the improved kinetics and cycling stability issues of the silicon anodes. a-Si in the composite shows elastic behavior during lithium alloying and dealloying: the pristine particle size is restored after cycling, and the electrode thickness decreases during the cycles as a result of self-compacting. This noble architecture facilitates superior electrochemical performance in Li ion cells, with a specific energy of 468 W h kg–1 and 288 W h kg–1 under a specific power of 7 kW kg–1 and 11 kW kg–1, respectively.