A novel three-dimensional cross-linked net structure of submicron Si as high-performance anode for LIBs

•Submicron Si in the slurry kerf waste from photovoltaic industry is used as anode for LIBs.•The Si@DAMO-900 anode with 3D cross-linked net structure is successfully fabricated.•A reversible capacity of 1970.6 mAh/g is achieved at 420 mA/g in 200 charge/discharge cycles. With the continuous development of smart devices, lithium ion batteries（LIBs）are being researched in depth. Silicon (Si)-base materials provide a broad prospect for LIBs. In this paper, the submicron Si, recovered from the slurry kerf waste of photovoltaic industry, is used as raw materials to prepare anode for LIBs. A silane coupling agent 3–2 (2-Aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane（DAMO）and a binder of polyacrylic acid (PAA) are introduced to improve the concatenation of Si particles. The as prepared Si@DAMO-900 exhibited a reversible capacity up to 1970.6 mAh/g after 200 charge/discharge cycles at the current density of 420 mA/g, and a capacity retention of 85.9% is achieved. Moreover, at the rate from 0.1 C to 1 C, it displays 2708 mAh/g, 2602.4 mAh/g, 2196 mAh/g, 1808.1 mAh/g, 1558.2 mAh/g and 1194.1 mAh/g, respectively. It still retains a discharge capacity of 2410.9 mAh/g when the current density restored to 0.1 C after 60 cycles. Furthermore, less than 20% of pseudocapacitive contribution suggests that the Li storage mechanism is dominated by diffusion charge. Mechanically, both the three-dimensional cross-linked net structure and the connection between Si and PAA guarantees a stable SEI film and promotes the reversible anode electrochemical reaction. It suggests that the as prepared Si@DAMO-900 has a potential application on anode of LIBs.