Boron–Silicon Alloy Nanoparticles as a Promising New Material in Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes
Gregory F. Pach, Pashupati R. Adhikari, Joseph Quinn, Chongmin Wang, Avtar Singh, Ankit Verma, Andrew M. Colclasure, Jae Ho Kim, Glenn Teeter, Gabriel M. Veith, Nathan R. Neale, Gerard M. Carroll
Abstract
Si) interface. This study introduces an innovative approach by alloying silicon with boron, creating boron/silicon (BSi) nanoparticles synthesized via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. These nanoparticles exhibit altered electronic structures as evidenced by optical, structural, and chemical analysis. Integrated into LIB anodes, BSi demonstrates outstanding cycle stability, surpassing 1000 lithiation and delithiation cycles with minimal capacity fade or impedance growth. Detailed electrochemical and microscopic characterization reveal very little SEI growth through 1000 cycles, which suggests that electrolyte degradation is virtually nonexistent. This unconventional strategy offers a promising avenue for high-performance LIB anodes with the potential for rapid scale-up, marking a significant advancement in silicon anode technology.