Si-based materials for lithium-ion batteries I: Surface-modified Si/C powder

Abstract

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze Si/C powder obtained from Paraclete Energy, Inc. The spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 1486.6 eV (0.834 01 nm). An initial survey spectrum together with O 1s, C 1s, and Si 2p are presented. A final survey spectrum was collected to ascertain the amount of beam-induced damage, which appears to be minimal. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show the expected silicon-carbon species related to the surface modification process in addition to oxidized carbon and silicon due to atmospheric exposure.