Nano-vault architecture mitigates stress in silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Haro, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Kumar, P. ; Zhao, J.L. ; Koutsogiannis, P. ; Porkovich, A.J. ; Ziadi, Z. ; Bouloumis, T. ; Singh, V. ; Juarez-Perez, E.J. ; Toulkeridou, E. ; Nordlund, K. ; Djurabekova, F. ; Sowwan, M. ; Grammatikopoulos, P.

Resumen: Nanomaterials undergoing cyclic swelling-deswelling benefit from inner void spaces that help accommodate significant volumetric changes. Such flexibility, however, typically comes at a price of reduced mechanical stability, which leads to component deterioration and, eventually, failure. Here, we identify an optimised building block for silicon-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes, fabricate it with a ligand- and effluent-free cluster beam deposition method, and investigate its robustness by atomistic computer simulations. A columnar amorphous-silicon film was grown on a tantalum-nanoparticle scaffold due to its shadowing effect. PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping revealed a critical change in mechanical behaviour when columns touched forming a vaulted structure. The resulting maximisation of measured elastic modulus (similar to 120GPa) is ascribed to arch action, a well-known civil engineering concept. The vaulted nanostructure displays a sealed surface resistant to deformation that results in reduced electrode-electrolyte interface and increased Coulombic efficiency. More importantly, its vertical repetition in a double-layered aqueduct-like structure improves both the capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency of the LIB. Lithiation of anodes during cycling of lithium-ion batteries generates stresses that reduce operation lifetime. Here, a composite silicon-based anode with a nanoscale vaulted architecture shows high mechanical stability and electrochemical performance in a lithium-ion battery.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1038/s43246-021-00119-0

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Communications materials 2, 1 (2021), 16 [10 pp]
ISSN: 2662-4443

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 4.0 - Materials Science (Q2) - Engineering (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2019-108247RA-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/RYC-2018-025222-I

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Química Física (Dpto. Química Física)