Fabrication of Si@mesocarbon microbead (MCMB) anode based on carbon texture for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Efficient management of the carbon structure is challenging for silicon/carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Here, a uniquely structured composite (Si@MCMB), with silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) embedded in the turbostratic carbon layer texture of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB), has been designed. Mesophase pitch was used as the carbon precursor because of its unique carbon layer structure and porosity after carbonization. As a result, the Si@MCMB composite anode showed good cycle life and rate capability compared to materials obtained by the conventional carbon coating method. This arrangement of the turbostratic carbon layer texture should provide silicon volume expansion space, ion/electron diffusion channels, and mechanical strength.