A one-pot method to fabricate reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-coated Si@SiOx@β-Bi2O3/Bi composites for lithium-ion batteries

Strategies for Controlling or Releasing the Influence Due to the Volume Expansion of Silicon inside Si-C Composite Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Currently, silicon is considered among the foremost promising anode materials, due to its high capacity, abundant reserves, environmental friendliness, and low working potential. However, the huge volume changes in silicon anode materials can pulverize the material particles and result in the shedding of active materials and the continual rupturing of the solid electrolyte interface film, leading to a short cycle life and rapid capacity decay. Therefore, the practical application of silicon anode materials is hindered. However, carbon recombination may remedy this defect. In silicon/carbon composite anode materials, silicon provides ultra-high capacity, and carbon is used as a buffer, to relieve the volume expansion of silicon; thus, increasing the use of silicon-based anode materials. To ensure the future utilization of silicon as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, this review considers the dampening effect on the volume expansion of silicon particles by the formation of carbon layers, cavities, and chemical bonds. Silicon-carbon composites are classified herein as coated core-shell structure, hollow core-shell structure, porous structure, and embedded structure. The above structures can adequately accommodate the Si volume expansion, buffer the mechanical stress, and ameliorate the interface/surface stability, with the potential for performance enhancement. Finally, a perspective on future studies on Si-C anodes is suggested. In the future, the rational design of high-capacity Si-C anodes for better lithium-ion batteries will narrow the gap between theoretical research and practical applications.

A novel electrochemical sensor for determination of uric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and dopamine based on a carbon paste electrode modified with an electrochemically reduced para-nitrobenzoic acid/graphene oxide nanocomposite

In this study, a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode was modified by an electrochemically reduced para-nitrobenzoic acid/graphene oxide nanocomposite to measure uric acid.

Progress of Binder Structures in Silicon-Based Anodes for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Mini Review

Silicon (Si) has been counted as the most promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, owing to its high theoretical specific capacity, safety, and high natural abundance. However, the commercial application of silicon anodes is hindered by its huge volume expansions, poor conductivity, and low coulombic efficiency. For the anode manufacture, binders play an important role of binding silicon materials, current collectors, and conductive agents, and the binder structure can significantly affect the mechanical durability, adhesion, ionic/electronic conductivities, and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) stability of the silicon anodes. Moreover, many cross-linked binders are effective in alleviating the volume expansions of silicon nanosized even microsized anodic materials along with maintaining the anode integrity and stable electrochemical performances. This mini review comprehensively summarizes various binders based on their structures, including the linear, branched, three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked, conductive polymer, and other hybrid binders. The mechanisms how various binder structures influence the performances of the silicon anodes, the limitations, and prospects of different hybrid binders are also discussed. This mini review can help in designing hybrid polymer binders and facilitating the practical application of silicon-based anodes with high electrochemical activity and long-term stability.