Functionally strain-graded nanoscoops for high power Li-ion battery anodes.

Lithium-ion batteries show poor performance for high power applications involving ultrafast charging/discharging rates. Here we report a functionally strain-graded carbon-aluminum-silicon anode architecture that overcomes this drawback. It consists of an array of nanostructures each comprising an amorphous carbon nanorod with an intermediate layer of aluminum that is finally capped by a silicon nanoscoop on the very top. The gradation in strain arises from graded levels of volumetric expansion in these three materials on alloying with lithium. The introduction of aluminum as an intermediate layer enables the gradual transition of strain from carbon to silicon, thereby minimizing the mismatch at interfaces between differentially strained materials and enabling stable operation of the electrode under high-rate charge/discharge conditions. At an accelerated current density of ∼51.2 A/g (i.e., charge/discharge rate of ∼40C), the strain-graded carbon-aluminum-silicon nanoscoop anode provides average capacities of ∼412 mAh/g with a power output of ∼100 kW/kg(electrode) continuously over 100 charge/discharge cycles.