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Mechanistic insight into the role of N-doped carbon matrix in electrospun binder-free Si@C composite anode for lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

To improve the long cyclic stability and rate capability of Si-based anode, we demonstrate a core-shell structural Si@NC composite decorates with N-doped carbon network using a low-cost, a simple process of electrospinning and low-temperature pyrolysis. Si@PVP/Urea fabric composite spun on the copper foil was directly carbonized and then was cut into wafers used as the electrode plates without extra conductive agent and binder. The enhanced rate capability and cyclic stability of special structural Si@NC is mainly ascribable to N-doped carbon matrix providing numerous active sites, which attract Li to those points in an efficient way, and the core-shell structures supply high mechanical strength for Si@NC composite. Importantly, almost 3-fold improvement in the capacity retention rate of the Si@NC has been observed at high current densities of 1.6 and 3.2 A g−1. Meanwhile, DFT calculations confirm that Li will be easily adsorbed by N-active sites in N-doped carbon model to strengthen chemical absorption ability, which could have more chance to grab the quickly moving Li in a brief period. It is significant for theoretical guidance of subsequent studies. The findings should make an important contribution providing a great possibility for the mass production and application to the field of lithium-ion battery.

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Funding

This work was supported financially by the union project of National Natural Science Foundation of China and Guangdong Province (U1601214), the Scientific and Technological Plan of Guangdong Province (2018B050502010, 018A050506078, 2017B090901027), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2017A030310166), the Project of Blue Fire Plan (Nos CXZJHZ201708 and CXZJHZ201709), and Science and Technology Project Foundation of Zhongshan City of Guangdong Province of China (No. 2018B1127).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Efficient Green Energy and Environment Protection Materials, Engineering Research Center of MTEES (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, People’s Republic of China

    Kaixiang Shen, Hedong Chen, Xianhua Hou & Shaofeng Wang

  2. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Super hard Material, China Nonferrous Metal(Guilin) Geology and Mining Co., Ltd., Guilin, 541004, People’s Republic of China

    Haiqing Qin

  3. University of Electronic Science and Technology, Zhongshan Institute, Zhongshan, 528402, People’s Republic of China

    Yumei Gao

  4. School of Materials Science and Engineering and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, People’s Republic of China

    Jiadong Shen

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  1. Kaixiang Shen
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  2. Hedong Chen
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  3. Xianhua Hou
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  4. Shaofeng Wang
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  5. Haiqing Qin
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  6. Yumei Gao
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  7. Jiadong Shen
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Correspondence to Xianhua Hou.

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Kaixiang Shen and Hedong Chen both contributed equally to this work.

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Shen, K., Chen, H., Hou, X. et al. Mechanistic insight into the role of N-doped carbon matrix in electrospun binder-free Si@C composite anode for lithium-ion batteries. Ionics 26, 3297–3305 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-020-03484-x

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