Silicon Single Walled Carbon Nanotube-Embedded Pitch-Based Carbon Spheres Prepared by a Spray Process with Modified Antisolvent Precipitation for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Si is regarded as a next-generation anode material for high-energy density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, Si-based anode materials cause intractable problems that result in ceaseless capacity decay and poor cyclic performance. In this study, two types of industrial wastes, Si powder (from the photovoltaic industry) and pitch (from petroleum residue), were selected as the active material and carbon source, respectively, for preparing a Si single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-embedded carbon composite. A good conductive pathway was created by the SWCNTs, and the inner voids in the composite increased its conductivity and provided extra space for accommodating the volume expansion of lithiated Si. In addition, a porous pitch-based spherical composite with embedded Si and SWCNTs was fabricated through a designed one-step process using a combination of the spray-drying and antisolvent precipitation techniques and a series of thermal treatments. The cycling test results revealed that the composite showed the high reversible specific capacities of 2001 mAh g −1 at 1 A/g (0.5 C) with a retention of 66.1% and 1682 mAh g −1 at 1 A/g (0.5 C) with a retention of 55.6% after the 100th and 200th cycles, respectively. These results imply that the pitch-derived soft carbon and SWCNTs provided an excellent conductivity, and the porous structure of the composite accommodated the stress produced by the Si expansion.

Carbon-Coated Si Nanoparticles Anchored on Three-Dimensional Carbon Nanotube Matrix for High-Energy Stable Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Table S1: Fitting results of the EIS curves. Table S2: Comparison among the recently reported Si-based anode materials [79,80].…”

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

“…Packaging Si into the carbon material and constructing the Si/C composite material with an embedded structure can improve its structural stability beyond obtaining a higher specific capacity. − Si/C composites with an embedded structure can be prepared by encapsulating Si NPs into various hard or soft carbon precursors, such as sucrose, pitch, and phenolic resin and subsequent carbonization. , This embedded structure can restrict the region of expansion and contraction of Si NPs and maintain the structure stability of the composites. However, the carbon materials mentioned above usually have overmuch defects and a long diffusion path of the lithium-ion, which lead to low electrical conductivity, more side reactions with the electrolyte, and low active material utilization.…”

Co Single Atom-FeCo Alloy-Carbon Nanotube Catalysts on Graphene for Lithium–Oxygen and Lithium–Carbon Dioxide Batteries

“…Therefore, developing efficient bifunctional catalysts and well-designed interior structures of the catalysts is crucial for achieving high battery performance. 34−36 Catalysts for LOBs and LCBs can be carbon-based compounds, 37,38 metals, 39,40 and metal oxides. 41 Precious metals such as Pt, Ru, and Ir are recognized as excellent catalysts.…”

“…Catalysts for LOBs and LCBs can be carbon-based compounds, , metals, , and metal oxides . Precious metals such as Pt, Ru, and Ir are recognized as excellent catalysts.…”