In Operando Mechanism Analysis on Nanocrystalline Silicon Anode Material for Reversible and Ultrafast Sodium Storage

The electrochemical mechanism of nanocrystalline silicon anode in sodium ion batteries is first studied via in operando Raman and in operando X-ray diffraction. An irreversible structural conversion from crystalline silicon to amorphous silicon takes place during the initial cycles, leading to ultrafast reversible sodium insertion in the newly generated amorphous silicon. Furthermore, an optimized silicon/carbon composite has been developed to further improve its electrochemical performance.