Electrospun carbon nanofibers containing modified silicon particles and conductive additives as high performance anodes

摘要

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites containing surface-modified silicon nanoparticles and conductive additives, like graphene and metal catalyst, are synthesized via a facile electrospinning process as freestanding electrodes for Li-ion batteries. Monodispersion of Si nanoparticles in aqueous solution is achieved via amino-silane functionalization followed by F ion mediation, which are necessary for excellent electrochemical performance of the Si-based anodes. The modified Si nanoparticles are electrospuninto thenanofibercomposites with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the carbon precursor and graphene oxide or nickel acetate as the precursor for conductive additive. The Si nanoparticles are encapsulated within the continuous, amorphous carbon matrix which functionsas stress buffer to relieve the volumetric strain generated from Si during the charge/discharge cycles as well as conductive electron transport paths to allow easy access by the electrolyte.