Abstract
Two new types of Si patterned surfaces are presented that have either a solid micropyramid structure or a double microstructure in which nanopores are induced on the pyramid surface. The pyramid diameter ranges between 1 and 6 μm, while the pores are 50–100 nm in diameter and ∼100–400 nm deep. It is illustrated that when they are employed as anodes, in Li-ion batteries, these patterned anodes, at high current densities of 1C, can (i) retain their initial morphology intact, despite the ∼400% expansion that Si experiences upon lithiation, and (ii) minimize the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) that forms upon decomposition of the electrolyte. Furthermore, for the nanoporous-micropyramids, scanning electron microscopy after twenty-five electrochemical cycles reveals that no fracture occurs in either high (1 C) or low (0.1 C) current densities. This is a unique and significant observation as similar experiments, at 0.1 C, on the solid micropyramid surfaces indicate severe fracture from the first Li-insertion. It is therefore concluded that introducing a nanostructure on micropyramids significantly enhances their structural stability. This suggests that microscale Si with induced nanopores is an alternative anode candidate to nanoscale Si.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 372-378 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Power Sources |
Volume | 329 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 15 2016 |
Keywords
- Anodes
- Binary structure
- Micropyramids
- Nanopores
- Si
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering