Kinetics-driven high power Li-ion battery with a-Si/NiSix core-shell nanowire anodes

Abstract

We report amorphous-Si nanowire shell anodes, supported by NiSi_xnanowire cores, by catalyst-free two-step SiH₄ chemical vapor deposition, where the metallic core acts as a mechanical supporter and a kinetically unlimited charge supplier. We have achieved highly reversible capacitance of over 3000 mAh g⁻¹ even at a 2C rate, with stable cyclic retention which stems from the altered electrochemical reactions with relatively small volume expansion routes by a kinetic effect.