Engineered Si electrode nanoarchitecture: a scalable postfabrication treatment for the production of next-generation Li-ion batteries.

A novel, economical flash heat treatment of the fabricated silicon based electrodes is introduced to boost the performance and cycle capability of Li-ion batteries. The treatment reveals a high mass fraction of Si, improved interfacial contact, synergistic SiO2/C coating, and a conductive cellular network for improved conductivity, as well as flexibility for stress compensation. The enhanced electrodes achieve a first cycle efficiency of ∼84% and a maximum charge capacity of 3525 mA h g(-1), almost 84% of silicon's theoretical maximum. Further, a stable reversible charge capacity of 1150 mA h g(-1) at 1.2 A g(-1) can be achieved over 500 cycles. Thus, the flash heat treatment method introduces a promising avenue for the production of industrially viable, next-generation Li-ion batteries.