In this study, we used as synthesized Si/C powders as anode material, to construct lithium ion rechargeable secondary batteries. Subsequent treatments, PAN-coating, addition of FEC in electrolyte, and pre-lithiation were taken to enhance electrochemical characteristics of Si/C composite electrode.
For Si/C composite electrode, cycle life and coulombic efficiency were improved compared to commercial silicon powder. For cycle Process B in our study, Si/C composite electrode retained 77.7% capacity after 60 cycles, and coulombic efficiency was more than 95% after 60 cycles. However, the improvement of cycle life for Si/C electrode was limited to some extent because of the accumulation of SEI layers during cycling.
After coating of PAN, specific capacity was enhanced by 30%. The
enhancement was due to amidoxime groups of PAN, which can be used for the treatment of metals because of the polymers’ complex-forming capabilities with lithium ions. For first cycle coulombic efficiency, it was lowered by 1.5%
compared to uncoated Si/C composite electrode, which is due to unwanted reaction between lithium ions and PAN film. After 60 cycles, 79.8% capacity was retained and coulombic efficiency was kept at about 97%. These results showed good enhancement after coating of PAN on Si/C composite electrode.
Then, we added FEC to EC/ EMC electrolyte to enhance cycle
performance of PAN-coated Si/C electrode. Capacities were lowered after using FEC/EC/EMC electrolyte before 20 cycles, but specific capacities were enhanced after cycling. 89.2% capacity was retained after 60 times of cycling, and coulombic efficiency was enhanced to ~98.5%
The pre-lithiation approach was also adopted to enhance the coulombic efficiency in the first cycle. The electrode with the use of pre-lithiation approach displays the improved efficiency of ~99.9% in the first cycle.
Moreover, the coulombic efficiency in the following cycles maintains at
~99.9%. This result indicates that pre-lithiation approach is effective and has potentially practical use for increasing overall coulombic efficiency.
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