Silicon cycling stability

Yao,Y, Liu, N., Mcdowell, M.T., Pasta, M., Cui,Y, 2012. Improving the cycling stability of silicon nanowire anodes with conducting polymer coatings. Energy Environ. Sci. 5,7927-7930. 

Formation of the SEI layer plays an important role on the cycling stability of silicon-based anodes. Kulova and Skundin [109] reported a method used to preform the SEI layer on an electrode surface (prior to initial cathodic polarization) by direct contact of silicon and lithium metal in the electrolyte. The electrolyte was 1-M LiC104 in a mixture of propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethoxyethane. This method effectively reduced the irreversible capacity of the amorphous silicon electrode. Pretreatment of nanometer-sized silicon in ethanol also can form functionalized surfaces on the silicon particles that improve adhesion of silicon-based electrodes. A stable capacity of 2,500 mAh/g after 25 cycles has been reported for ethanol-treated silicon electrodes [110]. 

Hochgatterer NS et al (2008) Silicon/graphite composite electrodes for high-capacity anodes Influence of binder chemistry on cycling stability. Electrochem Solid-State Lett 1LA76-A80... 

Fukutomi, M., Kitajima, M., Okada, M., and Wanatabe, R., Silicon Carbide Coating on Molybdenum by Chemical Vapor Deposition and its Stability under Thermal Cycle Conditions, J Nucl Mater., 87(1) 107-116 (Nov. 1979)... 

---