Fabrication of SiO2 nanofiber-integrated all-inorganic electrodes for safer Li-ion batteries

Energy density, rate capability, and safety are often compromised in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To overcome this dilemma, novel electrode structure design is considered as one of the most promising routes. However, simple and scalable fabrication methods are currently very limited. Here, an electrostatic self-assembled three-dimensional Li 4 Ti 5 O 1 2 (3D-LTO) electrode with high-energy density as a whole and excellent thermal stability was fabricated by regulating the zeta potential of electrode components. Such a 3D electrode features an intergraded current collector layer of SiO 2 /ketjen black (KB) and active material layer of SiO 2 /KB/LTO/carbon fiber (CF). Benefiting from its well-designed electronic conductive 3D skeleton and desirable chemical affinity with the liquid electrolyte, outstanding cyclability (capacity retention of 85% over 80 cycles) and rate capability (125 mAh g − 1 at 5 C) could be achieved for Li/3D-LTO cells with a high LTO mass loading of 10 mg cm − 2 . Excellent thermal-tolerance of the 3D electrode enables the cell with good operability and safety at an elevated temperature of 80 ∘ C. The discharge capacity of the Li/3D-LTO half-cell remains 160 mAh g − 1 at 1 C after 100 cycles. This simple and scalable method for the fabrication of the 3D electrodes boosts the energy density, rate capability, and high-temperature operability, which is promising for next-generation LIBs.