Synthesis of SiOx–Ti nanostructured composite powders by plasma spray physical vapor deposition for negative electrode of lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Nanocomposite SiOx–Ti powders have been produced by plasma spray physical vapor deposition of SiO and Ti powders. Crystalline Si was formed after the reduction of SiO by an addition of Ti but the battery capacity was increased slightly. With an increase in the Ti amount, the formation of titanium silicides becomes significant compared with the oxidation of Ti, which readily resulted in a decrease in the active Si amount and thus an apparent decrease in the capacity. These suggest that the secondary element has to be selected such that the active SiO forms first before other alloy phases in the system during co-condensation of vapor mixtures to make the best of the SiO composite structure.