title: Low-Cost and Novel Si-Based Gel for Li-Ion Batteries.
abstract: Si-based nanostructure composites have been intensively investigated as anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries because of their ultra-high-energy storage capacity. However, it is still a great challenge to fabricate a perfect structure satisfying all the requirements of good electrical conductivity, robust matrix for buffering large volume expansion, and intact linkage of Si particles upon long-term cycling. Here, we report a novel design of Si-based multicomponent three-dimensional (3D) networks in which the Si core is capped with phytic acid shell layers through a facile high-energy ball-milling method. By mixing the functional Si with graphene oxide and functionalized carbon nanotube, we successfully obtained a homogeneous and conductive rigid silicon-based gel through complexation. Interestingly, this Si-based gel with a fancy 3D cross-linking structure could be writable and printable. In particular, this Si-based gel composite delivers a moderate specific capacity of 2711 mA h g-1at a current density of 420 mA g-1and retained a competitive discharge capacity of more than 800.00 mA h g-1at the current density of 420 mA g-1after 700 cycles. We provide a new method to fabricate durable Si-based anode material for next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.|Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong , Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Fucong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhifang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Sicen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lujie
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8139-1722
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Mingyang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Minchan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wenxi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shaofei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong , 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhouguang
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3769-9356
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
keywords: Li-ion batteries; Si; anode materials; carbon nanotube; graphene; high-energy ball milling; hydrogel