Silicon-based graphite electrodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract: The cycling performance of silicon containing graphite electrodes as the anode in lithium-ion batteries has been investigated. Different electrode compositions of silicon, graphite, carbon black, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and using water as the solvent have been prepared and evaluated electrochemically by constant-current-constant-voltage (CCCV) cycling. To understand the impact on the cycling performance of the electrodes, the process parameters in the coating process have been evaluated by rheological measurements of the electrode slurries. The highest and most stable capacity was found for the electrode containing 5 wt% silicon (vs. graphite), 3 wt% binder, equal amount of the binders CMC-Na and SBR and 70 wt% solvent in the initial electrode slurry. It showed a stable capacity retention of 360 mAh/g after 315 cycles, before it faded. It was found that the CMC-Na and the solvent have a strong impact on the properties of the electrode slurry and the processing parameters. CMC-Na, the solvent and SBR were also found to be important for the adhesion of the electrode coating on the current collector. The worst cycling performance was obtained for electrodes containing 15 wt% silicon, a solvent amount below 65 wt% and a binder ratio of CMC-Na:SBR below 1:1. Different rheological behaviour for different silicon particles was found to depend on the surface area of the particles.