Vertical channels enable excellent lithium storage kinetics and cycling stability in silicon/carbon thick electrode
Wen Zhang,
Zihan Zhang,
Xinxin Wang,
Wanming Li,
Qin Chen,
Wangting Zhong,
Junhong Wei,
Zihe Chen,
Shuibin Tu,
Xiancheng Wang,
Yuchen Tan,
Yun Zhang,
Huiqiao Li,
Yongming Sun,
Huamin Zhou,
Hui Yang
Affiliations
Wen Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Zihan Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Xinxin Wang
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Wanming Li
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Qin Chen
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Wangting Zhong
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Junhong Wei
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Zihe Chen
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Shuibin Tu
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Xiancheng Wang
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Yuchen Tan
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Yun Zhang
School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Huiqiao Li
School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Yongming Sun
Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Huamin Zhou
School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Hui Yang
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
Abstract Constructing silicon (Si)‐based composite electrodes that possess high energy density, long cycle life, and fast charging capability simultaneously is critical for the development of high performance lithium‐ion batteries for mitigating range anxiety and slow charging issues in new energy vehicles. Herein, a thick silicon/carbon composite electrode with vertically aligned channels in the thickness direction (VC‐SC) is constructed by employing a bubble formation method. Both experimental characterizations and theoretical simulations confirm that the obtained vertical channel structure can effectively address the problem of sluggish ion transport caused by high tortuosity in conventional thick electrodes, conspicuously enhance reaction kinetics, reduce polarization and side reactions, mitigate stress, increase the utilization of active materials, and promote cycling stability of the thick electrode. Consequently, when paired with LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622), the VC‐SC||NCM622 pouch type full cell (~6.0 mAh cm−2) exhibits significantly improved rate performance and capacity retention compared with the SC||NCM622 full cell with the conventional silicon/carbon composite electrode without channels (SC) as the anode. The assembled VC‐SC||NCM622 pouch full cell with a high energy density of 490.3 Wh kg−1 also reveals a remarkable fast charging capability at a high current density of 2.0 mA cm−2, with a capacity retention of 72.0% after 500 cycles.
