Silicon/graphite nanocomposite for lithium-ion battery anode

Abstract

One of the most promising areas of battery improvement is the use of silicon in anodes. It has emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its tenfold higher capacity compared to traditional graphite anodes (4200 mAh∙g1 vs. 372 mAh∙g1). However, the practical application of silicon in LIBs is hindered by several challenges, including rapid capacity fading, unstable cycling behavior, and significant volume expansion during lithium insertion/extraction. This work presents a novel approach for fabricating high-performance LIBs with silicon-based anodes and metallic lithium counter electrodes in a compact "Cell-coin 2032" form factor. The silicon-containing anode material was synthesized via the thermal decomposition of SiH4 in a gas phase followed by deposition onto a carbon matrix. A doctor blade technique was employed to deposit the composite onto a copper foil current collector. Laser engraving was utilized to define the electrode topology. The developed technology enables the production of compact, planar LIBs suitable for a wide range of electronics applications.