Nano-silicon particles/wire production by arc furnace for rechargeable batteries

A process and an apparatus using pure silicon as raw material with no other pre- processed material for producing nano-Silicon and/or nano-Silicon-carbon coated composite material in the form of particles, nanowires or a combination of both, for use in a high capacity and high energy efficiency manufacturing of anodes for Lithium-ion batteries. The apparatus comprises a reactor including at least one electrode and adapted to provide at least one arc, e.g. a DC transferred arc, for melting and vaporizing silicon provided in the reactor. A quenching system is provided for delivering a gas for quenching, in the reactor, the so-produced silicon vapour so as to form nano particles and/or nano wires. The reactor is under vacuum. The gas can be injected by a vortex and/or via the electrode that is hollow. The electrode is consumable and vertically movable to control an arc voltage and to compensate for electrode erosion.