Preparation of silicon@silicon oxide core-shell nanowires from a silica precursor toward a high energy density Li-ion battery anode.

Bulk-quantity silicon@silicon oxide nanowires have been successfully synthesized via a facile high-temperature approach using environment-friendly silica mixed with titanium powders. It is confirmed that the obtained nanowires process a crystalline core and amorphous oxide sheath. The obtained nanowires grow along the [111] direction which catalyzed by spherical silicon@siilcon oxide nanoparticles. The unique one-dimensional structure and thin oxide sheath result in the favorable electrochemical performances, which may be beneficial to the high energy density silicon anode for lithium ion batteries.