One-pot synthesis of three-dimensional silver-embedded porous silicon micronparticles for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Three-dimensional silver-embedded porous silicon (3D Ag@porous silicon) micronparticles were synthesized by a facile and low cost method via a metal-assisted chemical etching process for the first time. The electrode based on this 3D Ag@porous silicon anode material reveals a significant improvement in the electrochemical performance that results from its unique interconnected 3D network structure and the existence of high conductive silver nanoparticles encapsulated in the matrix of porous silicon. The battery based on 3D Ag@porous silicon micronparticles still retains a discharge capacity of 784 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles, which is more than two times larger compared with that of graphite (∼372 mA h g⁻¹). These results suggest that this facile and low cost methodology for preparation of a porous silicon anode can be extended to industrial production.