Synthesis of silicon/carbon, multi-core/shell microspheres using solution polymerization for a high performance Li ion battery

Abstract

In this work, silicon-carbon composite particles were designed and synthesized for the anode materials of a lithium ion battery and synthesized using a simple method that is adaptable for industrial application. The silicon/carbon precursor and monomer mixtures were polymerized through solution polymerization in an organic continuous medium and granulated in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution. After carbonization of the obtained composite particles, the electrochemical properties were investigated. The enhanced specific capacity (1014.15 mAh/g) and cyclability (80% of cycle retention) were attributed to the etching process and the porous structure. The particle morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The surface area and pore volume of the particles were measured by nitrogen adsorption via the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method.