Fabrication and electrochemical performance of Si@Polyaniline-based activated-carbon composites

Abstract

Si@polyaniline-based activated-carbon (Si@P-AC) composites, consisting of porous polyaniline-based carbon layers, were synthesized via in-situ polymerization, high-temperature sintering, and steam activation utilizing silicon and aniline. Our experimental results demonstrate that Si@P-AC60 composites, prepared via steam activation at 700[Formula: see text]C for 60 min, exhibit superior rate and cycling performance. At current densities of 100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000 mA⋅g[Formula: see text], the discharge-specific capacities of Si@P-AC60 are 1617, 1133, 1005, 855, and 679 mAh⋅g[Formula: see text], respectively. Additionally, the specific capacity retention rate reaches 75.5% when the current density returns to 100 mA⋅g[Formula: see text], with the specific capacity recovering to 1221 mAh⋅g[Formula: see text]. This extraordinary electrochemical performance can be attributed to the improved electron and ion transport channels provided by the polyaniline-based activated-carbon (P-AC) coating on the surface of silicon particles.