Silicon Nanoparticles Embedded in Chemical-Expanded Graphite through Electrostatic Attraction for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon (Si) is a promising next-generation anode for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. The application of silicon/carbon (Si/C) composites with high Si content is hindered by the huge volume change and insecure electrochemical interface of the Si anode. Herein, chemical-expanded graphite (CEG) is used as a carbon matrix to form Si@CEG/C composites with an embedded structure. CEG with an abundant pore structure and electropositivity can well disperse and accommodate a mass of Si nanoparticles (Si NPs). With the flexibility and porosity of CEG, the embedded structure of Si NPs fixed in an expanded graphite layer can adopt the volume change of Si NPs and offer the abundant path of diffusion of lithium-ion, which leads to a moderate cycle and rate performance. Si@CEG/C exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1232.4 mA h g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 and with a capacity retention rate of 87% after 200 cycles. This embedded structure of Si/C composites built by CEG is meaningful for the structure design of the Si-based anode with higher specific capacity, active material utilization, and satisfactory cycle stability.