Dual Core–Shell Structured Si@SiO_x@C Nanocomposite Synthesized via a One-Step Pyrolysis Method as a Highly Stable Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon (Si) has been regarded as a promising high-capacity anode material for developing advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but the practical application of Si anodes is still unsuccessful mainly due to the insufficient cyclability. To deal with this issue, we propose a new route to construct a dual core–shell structured Si@SiO x @C nanocomposite by direct pyrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer on the surface of Si nanoparticles. Since the PMMA polymers can be chemically bonded on the nano-Si surface through the interaction between ester group and Si surface group, and thermally decomposed in the subsequent pyrolysis process with their alkyl chains converted to carbon and the residue oxygen recombining with Si to form SiO x, the dual core–shell structure can be conveniently formed in a one-step procedure. Benefiting from the strong buffering effect of the SiO x interlayer and the efficient blocking action of dense outer carbon layer in preventing electrolyte permeation, the obtained nanocomposite demonstrates a high capacity of 1972 mA h g –1, a stable cycling performance with a capacity retention of >1030 mA h g –1 over 500 cycles, and particularly a superiorly high Coulombic efficiency of >99.5% upon extended cycling, exhibiting a great promise for practical uses. More importantly, the synthetic method proposed in this work is facile and low cost, making it more suitable for large-scale production of high capacity anode for advanced LIBs.