The uneven formation of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) results in continuous electrolyte consumption and poor ionic conductivity, leading to degradation of the electrochemical performance. In this study, we report the optimal conditions for SEI formation to achieve enhanced electrochemical performance of a SiO x anode in LIBs using a pre-lithiation under short-circuitcontaining constant-resistance (PLSC) process. The SiO x electrode prepared using the PLSC process delivers more outstanding cycle life (capacity retention of ∼88.6% over 500 cycles) than that of an electrode prepared using the normal discharging process. Furthermore, PLSC process results in significantly improved power capability of SiO x with a capacity retention of ∼66.6% at 3 A g −1 (vs. the capacity measured at 0.1 A g −1 ).
A novel SiO x @C composite is designed that uses benzene for both the homogenous dispersion of the Si source and simultaneous fabrication of a multiple carbon matrix on the composite. The overall morphology of the SiO x @C composite and uniformly carboncoated Si nanoparticles are verified using transmission electron microscopies with elemental mapping. This benzene-based synthesis process results in exceptional electrochemical properties for SiO x . At a current density of 0.5 A g −1 , the SiO x @C composite delivers a discharge capacity of 591 mAh g −1 with 99% coulombic efficiency over 600 cycles. Furthermore, the SiO x @C composite exhibits outstanding power capability with a capacity of 602 mAh g −1 at a current density of 2 A g −1 , corresponding to ∼68% of that measured at 0.1 A g −1 . In contrast, the capacity of pristine SiO x is extremely degraded under similar conditions.
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