Self-Healing Liquid Metal and Si Composite as a High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Si is among the highest theoretical capacity anodes for lithium-ion batteries, but it suffers from huge volume expansion during lithiation. Here we report a new approach to alleviating the volume change-induced degradation of Si anodes by mixing Si with a room-temperature liquid metal (LM), namely, Ga–Sn alloy. The Ga–Sn alloy is fluid with self-healing ability, acting as the liquid buffer for the Si upon lithiation and delithiation and healing the cracks caused by the volume expansion and contraction. The resulting Si/LM composite exhibits a high capacity and excellent cyclicability. The composite anode delivers a reversible capacity of ∼670 mAh/g after 1000 cycles, with an outstanding rate capability.