High capacity group-IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn) based anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

We present an overview of the recently developed strategies for improving the high capacity group IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn)-based anodes performance in Lithium-ion Batteries. And we hope to give a further understanding in designing novel high-performance anodes for practical application. AbstractTremendous efforts have been devoted to replace commercial graphite anode (372 mAh g −1 ) by group IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn) based-materials with high capacities in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The use of these materials is hampered by the pulverization of these particles due to the high volumetric change during lithiation and delithiation cycles, which leads to particles pulverization and destabilization of solid electrolyte interphase(SEI) films. These problems result in fast capacity fading and low Coulombic efficiency. Nanostructured materials show significant improvements in rate capability and cyclability due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, reduced Li + diffusion length, and increased freedom associated with the volume change during cycling. However, the nanostructured active materials with high ratio of surface-to-volume increase the irreversible capacity due to the formation of more SEI films. Although the nanostructured materials active materials keep relatively stable during repeated cycles of lithiation/delithiation process, the SEI film continually breaks/reforms, lowing the Coulombic efficiency. Meanwhile, the high-cost, low Coulombic efficiency and low tapping density limit the commercialization of the nanostructured electrode materials. Therefore, it is urgent to find solutions which could take advantage of both long cycle life of nanomaterials within the group IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn) and high volumetric/gravimetric capacity of micro-materials in the group IV as well as elements (Si, Ge, Sn). This report presents an overview of the recently developed strategies for improving the group IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn)-based anodes performances in LIBs to provide a further insight understanding in designing novel anodes.

Toward Low-Cost, High-Energy Density, and High-Power Density Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Other alloys such as Ge 164 and Sn 165 have also been investigated for high-energy and high-power density anode materials. Nevertheless, similar challenges to Si remain including significant volume expansion and capacity fade.…”

Boosting Superior Lithium Storage Performance of Alloy‐Based Anode Materials via Ultraconformal Sb Coating–Derived Favorable Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] For example, the capacity of Si nanowires after 10 cycles is ≈3500 mAh g −1 , which is four times that of Si micrometer particles (≈800 mAh g −1 ). [8,10,15,[22][23][24][25][26] In the past decades, compared to the over-emphasized efforts on the electrode structure design, the understanding and engineering of the electrode/electrolyte interface have been lacking. [8,10,15,[22][23][24][25][26] In the past decades, compared to the over-emphasized efforts on the electrode structure design, the understanding and engineering of the electrode/electrolyte interface have been lacking.…”

Rationally Designed Silicon Nanostructures as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…As for anode materials, alloy anodes have attracted extensive interest due to their remarkable specific capacity, such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and tin (Sn). [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Among all the alloy-type anodes, Si has the largest theoretical capacity of 4200 mAh g À1 (Li 22 Si 5 , practical ca. 3500 mAh g À1 ), [26] which is 10 times over that of commercial graphite material, leading to high energy density and of batteries.…”