Directly electrostatic-spray deposited cross-linked nanocomposites for the high performance lithium-ion battery anode

The nanocomposite for the Li-ion battery anode was fabricated with SiO2, poly(aniline-co-anthranilic acid) (PAAA), and the functionalized multiwall carbon-nanotube (fMWCNT). The successful formation of cross-link and hydrogen bonds among SiO2, PAAA, and fMWCNT in the nanocomposite were confirmed. The electrostatic-spray deposition was applied for the direct preparation of the nanocomposite electrode on the current collector in order to achieve high uniformity and mechanical stability of the electrode. The nanocomposite electrode prepared by electrostatic-spray mitigated the volume expansion of SiO2 during battery operation, which resulted in the excellent battery performance compared with that by the conventional slurry-casting method. The nanocomposite electrode revealed high initial discharge capacity (1415 mAh/g), capacity retention (1231 mAh/g at the 500th cycle), and rate capability (∼45 % capacity at 3 A/g vs. that at 0.1 A/g). We believe the entangled nanocomposite electrode is the promising electrode structure that can be used for the next-generation battery systems. [Display omitted] •Silica based nanocomposite electrode with cross-linked structure was synthesized.•Encapsulation of silica by PAAA polymer results in mechanical stability.•Further cross-linking with fMWCNT improves lithium-ion and electron transport.•Electrostatic-spray method showed superior performance in compare to slurry casting.•High energy storage capability (1231 mAh/g) was achieved after 500 cycles.