Fibrin biopolymer hydrogel-templated 3D interconnected Si@C framework for lithium ion battery anodes

Woong Ju Kim, Jin Gu Kang, Dong Wan Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Silicon is considered a promising candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes because of its exceptionally high capacity. However, employing Si in real applications remains a challenge, owing to dramatic reduction in the capacity after a few cycles. Redesigning the advanced electrode structure, including the available free volume and continuous conductive scaffold, may potentially circumvent this problem. Here, we demonstrate a new method of creating binder- and conductive additive-free three-dimensional (3D) porous network Si@C electrodes via fibrin hydrogel templating followed by pyrolysis. Hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups on Si and amides of fibrin enable the hierarchical 3D structures. These comprise well-distributed Si nanoparticles (SiNPs) in carbon frameworks, with each particle conformally encapsulated by the carbon layer. We confirm that carbon is doped with nitrogen and that pyridinic N and pyrrolic N are the predominant configurations. The 3D Si@C electrode exhibits a good rate performance (capacity of 730 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 (0.5C, Si + C basis)) and also a stable cycling property (54% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 500 mA g−1). Compared to a conventional mixture (SiNPs/alginate/Super P), the 3D Si@C electrode exhibits significantly improved electrochemical properties.

Original languageEnglish
Article number149439
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume551
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Jun 15

Keywords

  • 3D Si@C network
  • Fibrin template
  • Hydrogen bonding
  • Lithium-ion batteries
  • N-doped C
  • Pyrolysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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