3D Si/C Fiber Paper Electrodes Fabricated using a Combined Electrospray/Electrospinning Technique for LiIon Batteries

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201400753 techniques. This is due to the heavy weight of the metal current collectors and the use of binders. [ 1,2 ] To improve the overall specifi c capacity of an electrode, high capacity active materials and light-weight current collectors should be used. With ten times higher theoretical capacity, abundance, non-toxicity, and low cost, Si has attracted extensive attention as an anode to replace graphite. [ 3–25 ] However, Li insertion/extraction in Si particles induces a huge volume change, leading to severe pulverization and electric disconnection of Si particles, thus reducing the cycling stability. [ 3 ] Furthermore the poor electronic conductivity of Si also lowers the power density of Si anodes. Signifi cant improvements in the electrochemical performance of Si anodes have been achieved by using nanotechnology, including nanoparticles, [ 6–9 ] nanowires, [ 10,11 ] nanotubes, [ 12,13 ] nanofi bers, [ 14,15 ] nanoporous structures, [ 16–18 ] hollow structures, [ 19,20 ]