Submicron silica as high−capacity lithium storage material with superior cycling performance

Abstract Submicron silica (SiO 2 ) is prepared via directly milling bulk SiO 2 , which is the major constituent of the abundant sand on the earth. The electrochemical lithium storage performance of SiO 2 is found to be strongly associated with the ball milling treatment. The reversible capacity of SiO 2 gradually increases from 163 to 803 mAh g −1 as the milling time is extended from 0 to 72 h. For the SiO 2 milled for 24 h, it exhibits excellent cycling performance with a discharge capacity of 602 mAh g −1 over 150 cycles, corresponding to the capacity retention of 99.8% relative to the 2nd cycle. The different particle sizes distribution and electrochemical activity of SiO 2 are responsible for the effect of ball milling on its electrochemical lithium storage performance such as reversible capacity, cycling stability, electrode polarization and initial Coulombic efficiency.