Systematic structural characterization of high-density porous silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries lead to high energy density, especially desired for portable electronic device applications. Advanced electrode structures for high energy density lithium-ion batteries make the technological breakthrough by improving performance. In the focus of this study, a simple, low cost, scalable, and a versatile way is chosen to obtain high-density SiO-based electrodes with high porosity for lithium-ion batteries. SiO anode is fabricated in a conventional doctor blade system with the addition and removal of the NaCl to get a desired porous anode structure. Porosity and porous structure were characterized by various techniques such as atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscope, mercury porosimetry, and pycnometry. The results showed that the porosities can be formed successfully after salt addition and removal method by providing the values of pore volumes and porosities of the electrodes before and after the salt-washing process. According to NaCl salt content, the level of porosities was changed and it affected the electrochemical cycling performance of the lithium-ion cells.