Li₃PO₄-enriched solid electrolyte interphase on Si-based anode for enhanced Li⁺ transport and interfacial stability...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is crucial for lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance, affecting fast-charging and stability.
• Designing anode interfacial structures and understanding Li+ transport kinetics within the SEI remain significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient synthesis strategy for LIB anodes with enhanced interfacial properties.
• To elucidate the impact of SEI composition on Li+ transport and overall battery performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of silicon nanoparticles coated with a Li3PO4-modified carbon shell (Si@C@LPO).
• Comprehensive experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
• Analysis of SEI layer composition and its effect on Li+ transport.

Main Results:

• The Li3PO4-enriched SEI demonstrates high Li+ adsorption energy, suppressing solvent decomposition.
• Si@C@LPO anodes achieved a specific capacity of 605.67 mAh g-1 at 8 A g-1.
• Enhanced cycling durability with 73.3% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 A g-1.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategy establishes a clear correlation between SEI components, Li+ transport kinetics, and interfacial structure design.
• This approach significantly improves fast-charging capability and electrode stability in LIBs.
• The Si@C@LPO anode represents a promising material for high-performance LIB applications.