One-dimensional core-shell composite of AgNWs@Si@GO for high-specific capacity and high-safety anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Si/C composite materials used for Lithium-ion battery anode, have received widespread attention owing to theirs superior energy density, long cycle life, and low self-discharge efficiency. However, the unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and severe volume expansion, occurring in lithiation-delithiation of silicon materials, are major obstacles to its commercial application. Here, we proposed a silver nanowire@silicon@graphene oxide (AgNWs@Si@GO) core-shell structure by introducing one-dimensional silver nanowire into reactive silicon material through an uncomplicated polyol method. The electrochemical properties of the prepared AgNWs@Si@GO composites were well characterized as the anode of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The synthesized AgNWs@Si@GO composites exhibited exceptional electrochemical performance, high specific capacity (1384.8 mA h/g at 0.2 C) and improved cycle stability. The excellent electrical conductivity of AgNWs and the outstanding flexibility of GO makes AgNWs@Si@GO core-shell structure efficaciously alleviate the volume expansion of silicon-based materials in the process of lithiation, and further improve the cycle stability of electrode materials.