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Abstract: The effectiveness of silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires (NW) as electrode material for micro-supercapacitors has been investigated. SiC NWs are grown on a SiC thin film coated with a thin Ni catalyst layer via a chemical vapor deposition route at 950 °C. A specific capacitance in the range of ∼240 μF cm−2 is demonstrated, which is comparable to the values recently reported for planar micro-supercapacitor electrodes. Charge–discharge studies demonstrate the SiC nanowires exhibit exceptional stability, with 95% capacitance retention after 2 × 105 charge/discharge cycles in an environmentally benign, aqueous electrolyte. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report a comparative study of two silica-based ionogel electrolytes for electrochemical cycling applications. The ionogels considered represent two classes of gel networks, a covalently formed network generated by the polymerization of tetramethoxysilane catalyzed by formic acid, and a network formed by weak intermolecular forces obtained by mixing fumed silica nanopowder with ionic liquid. In both cases, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide is utilized as the ion conductor in the gel network. With increasing temperature it is shown that the electrochemical stability window is reduced, the conductivity of the electrolyte is increased, and the double layer capacitance is increased for both types of ionogels. Long-term stability of the two ionogels is excellent, with 90% capacitance retained after 10,000 repetitive CV cycles at 100 °C. Our results indicate that both of these ionogel electrolytes are promising for application in solid-state electrochemical systems at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herein we report the successful use of a polyisoindigo derivative (P(iso)) as a new conductive binder inside electrode formulations containing silicon nanoparticles covered with a carbon shell (Si@C) for Li-ion batteries. The expected role of the carbon shell is to stabilize the Solid Electrolyte Interphase layer (SEI) to prevent it from cracking under nanoparticle volume variations during lithiation processes. The P(iso) conducting polymer is used to act both as mechanical binder and n-type conductive component in replacement of usual carbonaceous additive materials. Ultimately, the cumulative contributions of both materials inside a two-electrode component formulation (Si@C P(iso)) aim to address the stability drawbacks commonly faced by silicon electrodes. Physico-chemical characterizations revealed that the Si@C nanoparticles are uniformly embedded inside the polymeric matrix. Electrochemical measurements in half-cells clearly show the formation of Li Si alloys during cycling. Moreover specific capacities up to 1400 mAh/g with a remarkable stability until 500 cycles have been achieved, proving this conductive polymer to be a valid alternative to classical polymeric binders mixed with carbonaceous additives. These very promising results highlight the use of this polyisoindigo family as new conductive binders inside Si@C electrode formulations for Li-ion battery applications. Highlights • Synthesis of a polyisoindigo derivative (P(iso)) by Yamamoto cross-coupling. • Characterization of the (P(iso)) as a new conductive binder with Si@C nanoparticles. • High stability of the Si@C P(iso) electrode (1400 mAh/g) over 500 cycles. • Higher capacity retention for Si@C P(iso) electrode than Si@C/CMC/CB electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core-shell silicon-carbon nanoparticles are attractive candidates as active material to increase the capacity of Li-ion batteries while mitigating the detrimental effects of volume expansion upon lithiation. However crystalline silicon suffers from amorphization upon the first charge/discharge cycle and improved stability is expected in starting with amorphous silicon. Here we report the synthesis, in a single-step process, of amorphous silicon nanoparticles coated with a carbon shell (a-Si@C), via a two-stage laser pyrolysis where decomposition of silane and ethylene are conducted in two successive reaction zones. Control of experimental conditions mitigates silicon core crystallization as well as formation of silicon carbide. Auger electron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy show a carbon shell about 1 nm in thickness, which prevents detrimental oxidation of the a-Si cores. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that the core-shell composite reaches its maximal lithiation during the first sweep, thanks to its amorphous core. After 500 charge/discharge cycles, it retains a capacity of 1250 mAh.g −1 at a C/5 rate and 800 mAh.g −1 at 2C, with an outstanding coulombic efficiency of 99.95%. Moreover, post-mortem observations show an electrode volume expansion of less than 20% and preservation of the nanostructuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]