Petroleum waste hydrocarbon resin as a carbon source modified on a Si composite as a superior anode material in lithium ion batteries

We demonstrate impressive electrochemical performance of a silicon(Si)/carbon(C) composite prepared by mixing an appropriate concentration of hydrocarbon resin, Si powder, and polyacrylic acid followed by a simple ball milling process and heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 600°C to 900 °C. The Si/C composite annealed at 700 °C achieved a significantly high discharge capacity (2291 mAh g−1) in the first cycle, very good cyclic stability (1402 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles), and excellent rate capability (1020 mAh g−1 at 2C with a retention of 95.5%). The composites annealed at high temperatures (800 °C and 900 °C) also displayed good capacity (1330 mAh g−1, 1340 mAh g−1) after 100 cycles and high rate capability (676 mAh g−1, 619 mAh g−1 @2C). indicating outstanding physical/chemical/structural stability of the composite that makes it a very suitable anode material in lithium ion batteries. The annealing temperature led to the formation of a C, SiOC/SiOx layer over the Si, as observed through a microstructure analysis, and different degrees of oxidation of the Si were observed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A detailed, comprehensive analysis of the structure/microstructure, bond vibrations, oxidation states of Si, and electrochemical performance is carried out. We demonstrate outstanding electrochemical performance of Si/C composites annealed at different temperatures as high performance anode materials in lithium ion battery. The composite (700 °C) has achieved significantly high discharge capacity (2291 mAhg−1) in the first cycle, very good cyclic stability (1402 mAhg−1 after 100 cycles) and excellent rate capability (1020 mAhg−1 at 2C with retention 95.5%). High temperature annealed composites have also delivered very good battery performance with high discharge capacity (1330 mAhg−1, 1340 mAhg−1) after 100 cycles and high rate capability (676 mAhg−1, 619 mAhg−1 @2C) indicating outstanding physical/chemical/structural stability of the Si/C composite that can be considered as a very suitable anode material in lithium ion batteries. [Display omitted] •Investigation of Si/C composite as anode in lithium ion battery.•The composite is synthesized by using petroleum waste hydrocarbon resin as carbon source.•Significant discharge capacity (1402 mAhg−1) is achieved after 100 charge/discharge cycles.•Excellent electrochemical performance due to the formation of C, SiOC/SiOx layer over the Si.•Si/C composite could be suitable to replace conventional g