Silicon/Needle Coke Composites as Efficient Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

In this research, a facile method was reported to prepare silicon/carbon composites by heating Si nanosheets and coal-based needle cokes in the assistance of binder glucopyranose. The microstructures and electrochemical performances of samples were analyzed. It was found that Si nanosheets adhered to needle cokes forming silicon/carbon composites. Compared with needle cokes, the composites showed higher capacity and initial coulombic efficiency. Also, they improved the cycle stability of silicon materials. The silicon/carbon anode had a reversible capacity of 381.8 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g after 170 cycles. In our work, relatively inexpensive Si nanosheets and coal-based needle cokes with low price were employed as the silicon and carbon sources respectively. Therefore, this method provides a possible strategy to reduce costs of silicon/carbon anodes, accelerating their commercial applications.