Dr. Gen Chen
Associate Professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, China

Speech Title: Reduction Route to Silicon Based Anode Materials for Lithium Storage

Abstract: Silicon has received intensive attention as anode materials for lithium storage. In this report, we present reduction methodology to silicon-based anode materials for lithium ion batteries, including magnesiothermic reduction and low-temperature molten salt reduction. (1) Porous Si structure can be derived by the magnesiothermic reduction of SiO2 precursors. Catalyzed by the magnesium oxide, graphene cages can be conformally grown onto the composite particles, leading to the formation of hollow graphene-encapsulated Si particles. (2) By using natural halloysite clay as starting material, three-dimensionally interconnected (3D-interconnected) Si frameworks with a branch diameter of ∼15 nm are prepared by the molten salt reduction method. The special structure of as-obtained materials offers advantages such as high porosity that facilitates the electrolyte contact and improves mass transport and specifically created void space that can accommodate volume change and prevent the pulverization of the electrode material. Therefore, the produced silicon based anode materials exhibit excellent lithium storage properties in terms of high specific capacity, remarkable rate capability, and good cycling stability.

Keywords: Silicon, Anode, Nanostructure, Lithium ion battery