High capacity and high rate capability Si anodes encapsulated with camphor-derived graphene for Li ion batteries

•The present manuscript deals with the modification of Si nanoparticles with graphene encapsulation from camphor source.•The electrochemical characterizations were conducted to evaluate their performance as a Li ion battery anode.•An outstanding capacity as high as 3327 mAhg−1 and superior rate capability were exhibited by the samples with a capacity retention of 84% at the end of 100 cycles. Future Li ion battery technologies demand novel design strategies for Li ion battery anode overlays with shorter ion diffusion channels, better interfacial resistance and enlarged electrode–electrolyte interface. This is especially significant when it comes to alloy anodes like Si, Ge etc where the ultra-high theoretical capacities are unable to be utilized owing to their huge volume expansion during the process and lower conductivity. A new strategy is introduced to synthesize Si nanoparticle based composite with graphene and carbon. Encapsulation of a homogeneous graphene layer imparts the anodes with high reversible capacity, outstanding stability and very high rate capability. The optimal samples exhibit an excellent capacity as high as 3327 mAhg-1and superior rate capability. The cyclic stability of the system was also outstanding with a capacity retention of 84% at the end of 100 cycles while neglecting the initial stabilizing period the capacity retention reaches upto 97%.