Korea National Institute of Rare Metals
PUBLICATION
Korea National Institute of Rare Metals
PUBLICATION
This study introduces an innovative approach for fabricating high-performance silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by recycled waste silicon and employing advanced structural modifications. Silicon, with a high theoretical capacity of 4200 mAh g−1, offers significant advantages over traditional graphite anodes but suffers from substantial volume expansion during cycling. We addressed this by using Ag-assisted chemical etching to create porous silicon structures and embedding Ag nanoparticles within the silicon matrix to enhance electrical conductivity and mechanical stability. Additionally, a low-density SiO2 buffer layer was formed on the porous silicon surface to further mitigate volume expansion. Our optimized anodes demonstrated exceptional cycling stability, maintaining over 86 % capacity retention from the 20th to the 200th cycle at a 1C rate (4.2 A g−1). This high current density performance underscores the potential for fast charging applications. Moreover, the volume expansion of the milled recycled silicon was significantly reduced from 604 % to 238 %. The synergistic effects of the porous structure, Ag nanoparticles, and SiO2 buffer layer contribute to superior electrochemical performance. This research highlights the potential of using recycled silicon sawing particles to produce sustainable anode materials, aligning with global efforts toward green energy solutions.