Silicon is considered as one of the most promising anode materials for the next-generation Li-ion batteries because of its high theoretical specific capacity, wide elemental abundance, and low discharge potential. However,Yet there are still too many serious issues that must be resolved before Si-based batteries are utilized, mostly related to the huge volume expansion of Si upon lithiation and the formation of the superficial oxide layer. In the present project,Here we propose to study the exact mechanism of stress accommodation and potentially improved stability in nanosilicon-based composite anodes prepared from unique nanoengineered Si nanoparticles embedded in conductive and flexible carbon-based matrix. We plan to employ several advanced in situ methods to interrogate the induced changes in the materials during continuous charge/discharge cycling. These methods will be applied to the selected combinations of the composite structure, size, binding, conductivity and elasticity to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms related to the initial and long-term degradation of capacity in nanosilicon materials.
We aim to develop advanced nanosilicon composite materials comprising Si nanoparticles (2- 15 nm) and an elastic conductive carbon-based porous scaffold. We will use in situ and ex situ techniques to elucidate the capacity drop in these anodes and develop new strategies for their improvement.