Combustion Synthesis of C and SiC Nanoparticles from Na2CO3–Si Mixtures: Characterization and Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

This article presents a β-SiC nanopowder synthesis process based on the combustion of a Na2CO3–kSi solid system (k indicates the moles of Si) in an Ar atmosphere. The authors of this study monitored the combustion parameters (temperature and wave velocity), reaction phases, and morphological changes as the Si/Na2CO3 molar ratio was increased. The combustion reaction produced temperatures of 1235–1550°C and resulted in the formation of either carbon nanosheets (k = 1) or SiC nanopowder (k = 2–5) and sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) as by-product. The SiC nanopowder was tested for its suitability as an anode material for high-performance rechargeable Li-ion batteries. As a result, good battery performance was obtained, with 407 mAh g–1 at the 5th cycle and 400 mAh g–1 at the 60th cycle, at a capacity retention of approximately 98%.