Nano-Silicon/Graphene Composite Anode Modifications for Enhanced Performance Lithium Ion Batteries

Development of lithium ion batteries with improved capacity and cycle performance are in the forefront of efforts to increase the electrification of current-age vehicles. Lately, much attention has been focused in the use of silicon-based anode materials due to their low discharge potential and theoretical capacity (4,200 mAh/g) which is more than 10 fold of the traditional graphite anode. However, due to the increased accommodated lithium ions, silicon’s volume varies by 400% causing pulverization and loss of electrical contact. Due to this, strategies have led to the use of nano-sized Si and incorporation of Graphene to be able to mitigate volume variation and therefore produce a stable anode material with improved capacity and cyclability. This project is aimed at the improvement of the dispersion of Si nanoparticles and the optimization of the graphene nanostructure producing a Si nanoparticle/graphene nanosheet composite anode demonstrating improved capacity retention and rate performance.