Cycle life improvement of lithium-ion batteries using particle size controlled silicon nanoparticle anodes

Abstract Silicon (Si) has been identified as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity. However, the substantial volume expansion experienced during the cycling process invariably leads to significant degradation. In this study, industrial waste Si sludge powders (SiSPs) from semiconductor device production were utilized as raw materials and processed via a simple ball-milling method to reduce the particle size to 111.1 nm. The most advanced Si nanoparticle (SiNP)-based electrode exhibited the highest reversible capacity across a range of C-rates, exceptional capacity retention over 100 cycles, and the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed the presence of sharp redox peaks and increased peak currents, suggesting an enhancement in electrochemical activity. The findings indicate that our cost-effective, eco-friendly methodology employing SiNPs derived from waste materials can remarkably enhance the electrochemical and structural stability of Si anodes for next-generation LIBs.