Assistant Prof. Yang Fan from College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), published an article titled “Fullerene-like elastic carbon coatings on silicon nanoparticles by solvent controlled association of natural polyaromatic molecules as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes” in Energy Storage Materials (JCRQ1, IF: 20.83), together with Prof. Xu Zhenghe and his research team from the Southern University of Science and Technology. Assistant Prof. Yang Fan is the co-first author and co-corresponding author and SZTU is the second affiliation. The full text of the article can be found at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405829721005584.

Graphical abstract [Photo/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405829721005584]

In this work, the researchers propose a scalable and low-cost synthesis method to deposit a highly-elastic fullerene-like protective carbon layer on silicon nanoparticles by molecular-level controlled association of natural polyaromatic molecules in heavy oil. The fullerene-like carbon layer is shown to recover by > 90% after deformation, which ensures the structural stability of the carbon coatings during cycling. Fullerene-like carbon-coated silicon nanoparticles exhibit high cycle stability with a reversible capacity of 1230 mAh g^-1 and capacity retention of 94.6% after 600 cycles at 1 C. These results demonstrate the great commercial potential of this synthesis method in producing anode materials of high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Morphological characterization [Photo/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405829721005584]

This synthesis method has highly reduced the difficulty of producing fullerene-like carbon and drastically enhanced the electrochemical performance of carbon-coated silicon anodes. Due to the strong adsorption and self-association of polyaromatic molecules in heavy oil on various surfaces, such a simple and efficient coating strategy is applicable to modifications of other electrode materials. The fabrication method demonstrated in this study is facile and scalable for commercial production to meet the rapidly growing need of the EV industry.

Energy Storage Materials is an international multidisciplinary journal for communicating scientific and technological advances in the field of materials and their devices for advanced energy storage and relevant energy conversion. It reports significant new findings related to synthesis, fabrication, structure, properties, performance, and technological application, in addition to the strategies and policies of energy storage materials and their devices for sustainable energy and development.

Drafted by Daisy（姚琦）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Revised by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office