Explore the vast range of titles available.

Silicon is a promising material for high-energy anode materials for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. The gain in specific capacity depends highly on the quality of the Si dispersion and on the size and shape of the nano-silicon. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the size/shape of Si on the electrochemical performance of conventional Li-ion batteries. The scalable synthesis processes of both nanoparticles and nanowires in the 10–100 nm size range are discussed. In cycling lithium batteries, the initial specific capacity is significantly higher for nanoparticles than for nanowires. We demonstrate a linear correlation of the first Coulombic efficiency with the specific area of the Si materials. In long-term cycling tests, the electrochemical performance of the nanoparticles fades faster due to an increased internal resistance, whereas the smallest nanowires show an impressive cycling stability. Finally, the reversibility of the electrochemical processes is found to be highly dependent on the size/shape of the Si particles and its impact on lithiation depth, formation of crystalline Li15Si4 in cycling, and Li transport pathways.

Carbon coatings can help to stabilize the electrochemical performance of high-energy anodes using silicon nanoparticles as the active material. In this work, the comparison of the behavior and chemical composition of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) was carried out between Si nanoparticles and carbon-coated Si nanoparticles (Si@C). A combination of two complementary analytical techniques, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), was used to determine the intrinsic characteristics of the SEI. It was demonstrated that the SEI on Si particles is more resistive than the SEI on the Si@C particles. XPS demonstrated that the interface on the Si particles contains more oxygen when not covered with carbon, which shows that a protective layer of carbon helps to reduce the number of inorganic components, leading to more resistive SEI. The combination of those two analytical techniques is implemented to highlight the features and evolution of interfaces in different battery technologies.

Carbon coatings can help to stabilize the electrochemical performance of high-energy anodes using silicon nanoparticles as the active material. In this work, the comparison of the behavior and chemical composition of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) was carried out between Si nanoparticles and carbon-coated Si nanoparticles (Si@C). A combination of two complementary analytical techniques, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), was used to determine the intrinsic characteristics of the SEI. It was demonstrated that the SEI on Si particles is more resistive than the SEI on the Si@C particles. XPS demonstrated that the interface on the Si particles contains more oxygen when not covered with carbon, which shows that a protective layer of carbon helps to reduce the number of inorganic components, leading to more resistive SEI. The combination of those two analytical techniques is implemented to highlight the features and evolution of interfaces in different battery technologies.