Interface-engineered SiO/C composite anode via carbon quantum dot graphitization for stable energy storage
摘要
To address the challenges of volume expansion and conductivity limitations in silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), this study innovatively proposed the construction of a chemically bonded, highly graphitized carbon layer on silicon oxide (SiO) surface using oxygen-enriched functionalized carbon quantum dots (CDs) synthesized via hydroxyaldehyde condensation, combined with vacuum heat treatment. The research revealed that the carbon quantum dots formed a three-dimensional continuous conductive network with SiO surface hydroxyl groups via Si-O-C covalent bonding. The network exhibited an ID/IG ratio of 1.61, indicating exceptional graphitization, which reduced the internal resistance of the electrode by 68.8% (from 260 Ω to 81 Ω). During charge/discharge cycles, the carbon layer suppressed silicon oxide volume expansion from 137 to 121% through mechanical confinement while maintained structural integrity. The optimized SiO/C@600 anode achieved a reversible capacity of 829 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹, achieving an energy density of 432.5 Wh kg⁻¹. Kinetic analysis demonstrated a 3.2-fold enhancement in Li⁺ diffusion coefficient and a pseudocapacitive contribution ratio of 88.31% at 1.0 mV s⁻¹, enabling rapid charge transfer. The study provided an approach to construct carbon interfaces using carbon quantum dots for interfacial engineering in silicon-based materials.
Graphical abstract