Rapid Joule heating-induced welding of silicon and graphene for enhanced lithium-ion battery anodes

Abstract

In the pursuit of enhanced energy storage solutions, the application of silicon-based anode materials faces significant hurdles, primarily stemming from the rapid capacity degradation during battery cycles. This study introduces a novel and efficient method for fabricating Si/graphene composites (F-Si@rGO), enhancing the performance and longevity of silicon-based anodes. Utilizing ultra-high-speed thermal treatment, this technique controls the thermal interaction between carbon and silicon phases, leading to the formation of silicon carbide “riveting points” that firmly anchor silicon nanoparticles within the graphene matrix. This novel method effectively minimizes the problems of phase segregation, which are caused by varying degrees of wettability alteration in the two phases during conventional heat treatments, and guarantees a robust integration of graphene and silicon. This integration results in homogeneous charging and outstanding structural stability of the composites, over extended cycles of use. The resulting Si/graphene composites exhibit exceptional electrochemical performance, achieving a high initial capacity of 1141.3 mAh g−1 at 1C and maintaining a capacity of 894.95 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles with minimal degradation (0.0216 % per cycle). This synthesis method, notable for its speed and scalability, offers a potential advancement in battery material technology, suggesting a path towards more resilient and efficient energy storage solutions.