From sand to fast and stable silicon anode: Synthesis of hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres by aluminothermic reduction for lithium storage

We report aluminothermic reduction enabled synthesis of hollow silicon microspheres from sand, which are further encaged in a carbon shell, resulting in hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres. The hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres exhibit superior long-term cyclability and rate capability, which lay a basis for the development of high-performance silicon anode of advanced LIBs. [Display omitted] As an alloying type anode material, silicon is a promising alternative of graphitic carbon due to its high theoretical capacity and natural abundance. Developing an industrially viable silicon anode, however, is still a huge challenge because of several problems: First of all, the common process to synthesize a silicon anode is complicated, costly, and energy-intensive. Besides, the huge volume expansion, inevitable side reactions with the electrolyte, and low intrinsic conductivity of silicon are eventually responsible for the poor cyclability and unsatisfactory rate capability. Herein, we aim to address these issues by proposing synthesis of hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres from sand by low-temperature aluminothermic reduction, which energetically combines a cost-effective silicon source with an energy-efficient, high-yield methodology. The hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres effectively accommodate the diffusion-induced stress by providing the hollow interior and the void space. Moreover, the carbon shell not only functions as an electrolyte-blocking layer to protect the silicon yolk from undesirable side reactions and SEI formation, but also acts as a conductive framework to reduce the resistance to electron and Li+ ion transport. Benefiting from these synergistic effects, the hollow Si@void@C yolk–shell microspheres exhibit superior long-term cyclability and rate capability.