Influence of carbon coating on the electrochemical performance of SiO@C/graphite composite anode materials

Silicon monoxide(SiO) has been considered as one of the most promising anode materials for next generation highenergy-density Li-ion batteries(LiBs) thanks to its high theoretical capacity. However, the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and large volume change during lithium intercalation/de-intercalation restrict its practical applications. Fabrication of SiO/C composites is an effective way to overcome these problems. Herein, a series of micro-sized SiO@C/graphite(Si0@C/G) composite anode materials, with designed capacity of 600 mAh·g-1, are successfully prepared through a pitch pyrolysis reaction method. The electrochemical performance of SiO@C/G composite anodes with different carbon coating contents of 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 35 wt% is investigated. The results show that the SiO@C/G composite with15-wt% carbon coating content exhibits the best cycle performance, with a high capacity retention of 90.7% at 25℃ and90.1% at 45 0 C after 100 cycles in full cells with LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 as cathodes. The scanning electron microscope(SEM) and electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy(EIS) results suggest that a moderate carbon coating layer can promote the formation of stable SEI film, which is favorable for maintaining good interfacial conductivity and thus enhancing the cycling stability of SiO electrode.