Nanostructured SiO2/C composites prepared via electrospinning and their electrochemical properties for lithium ion batteries

A series of nanostructured silica–carbon composites containing different contents of SiO 2 nanoparticles have been prepared from SiO 2 nanoparticles-incorporated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers via electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment. The SiO 2 /C composites as negative material for lithium ion batteries benefit from both the high capacity of nano-SiO 2 and the good performance of stable 3D nanostructured carbonaceous matrix. The nanostucture can effectively resist large volume changes and accelerate both the lithium ions diffusion and the electronic migration. The SiO 2 content significantly affects on both the morphology and the electrochemical performance of the SiO 2 /C composites. It is found that the composite obtained from the SiO 2 /PAN fibers with 15   wt% SiO 2 exhibits a large capacity of 658   mAh   g −1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 50   mA   g −1 and retains 356   mAh   g −1 at 1000   mA   g −1 , showing the best performance with high capacity, good rate capability and excellent cycling stability.