title: Scalable synthesis of nano-silicon from beach sand for long cycle life Li-ion batteries.
abstract: Herein, porous nano-silicon has been synthesized via a highly scalable heat scavenger-assisted magnesiothermic reduction of beach sand. This environmentally benign, highly abundant, and low cost SiO₂ source allows for production of nano-silicon at the industry level with excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The addition of NaCl, as an effective heat scavenger for the highly exothermic magnesium reduction process, promotes the formation of an interconnected 3D network of nano-silicon with a thickness of 8-10 nm. Carbon coated nano-silicon electrodes achieve remarkable electrochemical performance with a capacity of 1024 mAhg(-1) at 2 Ag(-1) after 1000 cycles.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Favors
authors.affiliation: 1] Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA) [2] Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of California, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Hamed Hosseini
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of California, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Kazi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of California, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Chueh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of California, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Mihrimah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 (USA).
authors.forename: Cengiz S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ozkan