Silicon-Carbon Composite Electrode Materials Prepared by Pyrolysis of a Mixture of Manila Hemp, Silicon Powder, and Flake Artificial Graphite for Lithium Batteries

A high performance lithium anode is a key component for high energy density lithium batteries. Silicon based lithium anode materials are attractive for the lithium anode due to their high theoretical capacity. However, a severe problem is the huge volume change that occurs during cycling, resulting in a poor capacity retention. We have developed a silicon based anode that disperses silicon particles on a carbon paper made from Manila hemp. The composite silicon electrode materials showed a high initial coulombic efficiency of 83%. The initial capacity of 566 mAh g−1 based on the total weight of the electrode was retained at 491 mAh g−1 after 70 cycles at the charge and discharge rate of 100 mA g−1 and at room temperature.