Dual-Confined SiO Embedded in TiO2 Shell and 3D Carbon Nanofiber Web as Stable Anode Material for Superior Lithium Storage

Silicon-based materials (Si, SiO x , etc.) have intrigued numerous attentions to replace the graphite anode materials for high performance new-generation lithium-ion batteries. Herein, dual-confined SiO composites are developed as novel anode material for efficient lithium-ion batteries. The SiO-based anodes are prepared from commercial SiO microparticles via simple electrospinning, in which TiO 2 coated SiO particles are well embedded in the 3D interconnected carbon nanofiber web. Owing to the protective TiO 2 shell with extra capacitive activity, along with the conductive carbon nanofiber network affording sufficient void space to accommodate the volume expansion of SiO upon cycling, the dual-confined SiO anode can maintain its structural integrity and exhibit high reversible activity. It realizes acceptable initial Columbic efficiency and a stable discharge capacity of 760 mAh g −1 at 200 mA g −1 after 200 cycles, with an average capacity drop of 0.11% per cycle for continuous cycling. Besides, the ternary SiO@TiO 2 /carbon nanofiber composite allows for facilitated charge transport and electrolyte penetration in virtue of its 3D porous web structure, which contributes to a high-rate capacity of 338 mAh g −1 at 3 A g −1 . These inexpensive and stable SiO/carbon nanofiber composites can be potential alternative toward cost-efficient lithium-ion battery anode.