Enhanced Performance with Nano-Porous Silicon in TiFeSi2/C Composite Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The innovative design of the microstructure of silicon-based composite anodes in Li-ion batteries holds great potential for overcoming inherent limitations, such as the significant volume change experienced by silicon particles. In this study, TiFeSi2/C composites prepared using micro, nano, and porous silicon showed reversible capacities of 990.45 mAh.g−1, 1137.69 mAh.g−1, and 1045.43 mAh.g−1 at C/10. The results obtained from the electrochemical characterization show that the porous structure of the composite anode material created via acid etching reduced silicon expansion during the lithiation/delithiation processes. The void spaces formed in the inner structure of the porous silicon and the presence of carbon increased the electronic conductivity between the silicon particles and, on the other hand, lowered the overall diffusion distance of Li+. This study confirms that TiFeSi2/C prepared with porous silicon dispersed in a transition metal matrix delivers better electrochemical performance compared to micro and nano silicon with a retention of 80.16%.