Crack-Resistant Si-C Hybrid Microspheres for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

To effectively solve the challenges of rapid capacity decay and electrode crushing of silicon-carbon (Si-C) anodes, it is crucial to carefully optimize the structure of Si-C active materials and enhance their electron/ion transport dynamic in the electrode. Herein, a unique hybrid structure microsphere of Si/C/CNTs/Cu with surface wrinkles is prepared through a simple ultrasonic atomization pyrolysis and calcination method. Low-cost nanoscale Si waste is embedded into the pyrolysis carbon matrix, cleverly combined with the flexible electrical conductivity carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and copper (Cu) particles, enhancing both the crack resistance and transport kinetics of the entire electrode material. Remarkably, as a lithium-ion battery anode, the fabricated Si/C/CNTs/Cu electrode exhibits stable cycling for up to 2300 cycles even at a current of 2.0 A g^-1, retaining a capacity of ≈700 mAh g^-1, with a retention rate of 100% compared to the cycling started at a current of 2.0 A g^-1. Additionally, when paired with an NCM523 cathode, the full cell exhibits a capacity of 135 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 1.0 C. Therefore, this synthesis strategy provides insights into the design of long-life, practical anode electrode materials with micro/nano-spherical hybrid structures.