The Si/Ag2Si/Ag particles with the enhanced mechanical contact as anode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract The silver-deposited silicon (Si/Ag) is a successful strategy to enhance the conductivity of Si anode material. However, Ag nanoparticles can be separated from the Si due to the huge volume variation, which causes the deterioration of cycling performance. In this research, we propose a facile method of synthesizing Si/Ag particles with alloyed interface (Si/Ag2Si/Ag) by rapid thermal process to enhance the mechanical contact between Si and Ag. The reversible capacity of Si/Ag2Si/Ag still remains 1138 mAh g-1 over 100 cycles at 0.5 C (1 C = 4.2 A g-1), which is 267 mAh g-1 higher than of Si/Ag. Besides, Si/Ag2Si/Ag holds the reversible capacity of 849 mAh g-1 at 2 C.