Metal (Cu/Fe/Mn)-Doped Silicon/Graphite Composite as a Cost-Effective Anode for Li-Ion Batteries

Silicon is a worthy substitute anode material for lithium-ion batteries because it offers high theoretical capacity and low working potentials vs. Li⁺/Li. However, immense volume changes and the low intrinsic conductivity of Si hampers its practical applications. In this study, nano/micro silicon particles are achieved by ball milling silicon mesh powder as a scalable process. Subsequent metal (Cu/Fe/Mn) doping into nano/micro silicon by low-temperature annealing, followed by high-temperature annealing with graphite, gives a metal-doped silicon/graphite composite. The obtained composites were studied as anodes for Li-ion batteries, and they delivered high reversible capacities of more than 1000 mAh g^-1 with improved Li⁺ diffusion properties. The full cells from these composite anodes vs. LiCoO₂ cathodes delivered suitable energy densities for Li⁺ storage applications. The enhanced electrochemical properties are accredited to the synergistic effect of metal doping and graphite addition to silicon and exhibit potential for suitable Li⁺ energy storage applications.