Issue

Vol. 17 (2025)

Hydrolysis-Engineered Robust Porous Micron Silicon Anode for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01808-y
Mili Liu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Jiangwen Liu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Yunqi Jia
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Chen Li
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Anwei Zhang
GAC Automotive Research & Development Center, Guangzhou 511434, People’s Republic of China
Renzong Hu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Jun Liu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Chengyun Wang
GAC Automotive Research & Development Center, Guangzhou 511434, People’s Republic of China
Longtao Ma
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China
Liuzhang Ouyang
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Liuzhang Ouyang

meouyang@scut.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 297

Abstract

Micro-silicon (Si) anode that features high theoretical capacity and fine tap density is ideal for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries. However, the substantial localized mechanical strain caused by the large volume expansion often results in electrode disintegration and capacity loss. Herein, a microporous Si anode with the SiOx/C layer functionalized all-surface and high tap density (~ 0.65 g cm⁻3) is developed by the hydrolysis-driven strategy that avoids the common use of corrosive etchants and toxic siloxane reagents. The functionalized inner pore with superior structural stability can effectively alleviate the volume change and enhance the electrolyte contact. Simultaneously, the outer particle surface forms a continuous network that prevents electrolyte parasitic decomposition, disperses the interface stress of Si matrix and facilitates electron/ion transport. As a result, the micron-sized Si anode shows only ~ 9.94 GPa average stress at full lithiation state and delivers an impressive capacity of 901.1 mAh g⁻1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g⁻1. It also performs excellent rate performance of 1123.0 mAh g⁻1 at 5 A g⁻1 and 850.4 at 8 A g⁻1, far exceeding most of reported literatures. Furthermore, when paired with a commercial LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, the pouch cell demonstrates high capacity and desirable cyclic performance.


Highlights:
1 There is a novel “hydrolysis-driven synthesis” approach for the preparation of a dual-surface functionalized micron-sized Si anode with a SiOx/C layer.
2 The functionalized inner pores and dual-functional SiOx/C layer synergistically alleviate volume change of Si lithiation, minimize stress concentration and improve electrochemical reaction kinetics.
3 The optimized micron-Si anode performs impressive lifespan, excellent high rate capacity and outstanding stack cell volumetric energy density.

Keywords

Micro-sized silicon anode Pore structure Functionalized SiOx/C interface Long-term lithium-ion batteries
Liu, Mili, Jiangwen Liu, Yunqi Jia, Chen Li, Anwei Zhang, Renzong Hu, Jun Liu, Chengyun Wang, Longtao Ma, and Liuzhang Ouyang. 2025. “Hydrolysis-Engineered Robust Porous Micron Silicon Anode for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (June):297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01808-y.
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