Boosting Cyclability and Rate Capability of SiO_x via Dopamine Polymerization-Assisted Hybrid Graphene Coating for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries

SiO_x suffers from the 200% volume change during cycling and low electronic conductivity, resulting in poor cyclability and rate capability as a lithium-ion battery anode. Herein, we demonstrate a dopamine polymerization-guided carbon coating for SiO_x anodes (SiO_x@PDA@GNH). SiO_x@PDA@GNH delivers charge capacities of 1269 and 1140 mA h·g^-1 at charge rates of 0.05 and 3 C, respectively, and a capacity retention of 79.60% after 150 cycles at 1 C. A full cell with LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ or cathode demonstrates a capacity retention of >80% after 100 cycles at the rate of 0.33 C with an area capacity over 3.2 mA h·cm^-2. Suppressed crack and overgrowth of the SEI layer are the key contributions for the improved performance. These results enlighten a practical pathway for the designing and modifications of SiO_x anodes for high energy density lithium-ion batteries.