A scalable synthesis of silicon nanoparticles as high‐performance anode material for lithium‐ion batteries

Abstract

Abstract In this work, a scalable and cost‐effective method including mechanical milling, centrifugation and spray drying was developed to fabricate Si nanoparticles. The synthesized Si nanoparticles show an average size of 62 nm and exhibit a narrow particle size distribution. The influence of particle sizes on electrochemical performance of Si‐based electrode was investigated, and it is found that as the particle size decreases in the studied range, the Si particles show a lower specific capacity and a higher irreversible capacity loss (ICL). Furthermore, an oxide layer with thickness of ~3 nm was detected on the surface of the as‐received Si nanoparticles, and this layer can be effectively removed by hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching, resulting in much improved electrochemical performance over the as‐received samples.