To increase the energy storage density of lithium-ion batteries, silicon anodes have been explored due to their high capacity. One of the main challenges for silicon anodes are large volume variations during the lithiation processes. Recently, several high-performance schemes have been demonstrated with increased life cycles utilizing nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanowires, and thin films. However, a method that allows the large-scale production of silicon anodes remains to be demonstrated. Herein, we address this question by suggesting new scalable nanomaterial-based anodes. Si nanoparticles were grown on nanographite flakes by aerogel fabrication route from Si powder and nanographite mixture using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This silicon-nanographite aerogel electrode has stable specific capacity even at high current rates and exhibit good cyclic stability. The specific capacity is 455 mAh g⁻¹ for 200^th cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 97% at a current density 100 mA g⁻¹.

NiMn₂O₄ (NMO) is a good alternative anode material for lithium-ion battery (LIB) application, due to its superior electrochemical activity. Current research shows that synthesis of NMO via citric acid-based combustion method envisaged application in the LIB, due to its good reversibility and rate performance. Phase purity and crystallinity of the material is controlled by calcination at different temperatures, and its structural properties are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Composition and oxidation state of NMO are further investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For LIB application, lithiation delithiation potential and phase transformation of NMO are studied by cyclic voltammetry curve. As an anode material, initially, the average discharge capacity delivered by NMO is 983 mA·h/g at 0.1 A/g. In addition, the NMO electrode delivers an average discharge capacity of 223 mA·h/g after cell cycled at various current densities up to 10 A/g. These results show the potential applications of NMO electrodes for LIBs.

Silicon anodes are considered as promising electrode materials for next-generation high capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the capacity fading due to the large volume changes (∼300%) of silicon particles during the charge–discharge cycles is still a bottleneck. The volume changes of silicon lead to a fracture of the silicon particles, resulting in recurrent formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, leading to poor capacity retention and short cycle life. Nanometer-scaled silicon particles are the favorable anode material to reduce some of the problems related to the volume changes, but problems related to SEI layer formation still need to be addressed. Herein, we address these issues by developing a composite anode material comprising silicon nanoparticles and nanographite. The method developed is simple, cost-efficient, and based on an aerogel process. The electrodes produced by this aerogel fabrication route formed a stable SEI layer and showed high specific capacity and improved cyclability even at high current rates. The capacity retentions were 92 and 72% of the initial specific capacity at the 171st and the 500th cycle, respectively.

A recyclability perspective is essential in the sustainable development of energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but the development of LIBs prioritizes battery capacity and energy density over recyclability, and hence, the recycling methods are complex and the recycling rate is low compared to other technologies. To improve this situation, the underlying battery design must be changed and the material choices need to be made with a sustainable mindset. A suitable and effective approach is to utilize bio-materials, such as paper and electrode composites made from graphite and cellulose, and adopt already existing recycling methods connected to the paper industry. To address this, we have developed a concept for fabricating fully disposable and resource-efficient paper-based electrodes with a large-scale roll-to-roll coating operation in which the conductive material is a nanographite and microcrystalline cellulose mixture coated on a paper separator. The overall best result was achieved with coated roll 08 with a coat weight of 12.83(22) g/m² and after calendering, the highest density of 1.117(97) g/cm³, as well as the highest electrical conductivity with a resistivity of 0.1293(17) m$\Omega ·$m. We also verified the use of this concept as an anode in LIB half-cell coin cells, showing a specific capacity of 147 mAh/g, i.e., 40% of graphite’s theoretical performance, and a good long-term stability of battery capacity over extended cycling. This concept highlights the potential of using paper as a separator and strengthens the outlook of a new design concept wherein paper can both act as a separator and a substrate for coating the anode material.

Silicon materials are currently being explored for usage in lithium-ion battery anodes due to their high lithium storage capacity. We have developed a novel method, using a simple thermal treatment of low-cost silicon powder and nanographite, resulting in a composite where silicon nanoparticles are grown on the graphene surfaces. Electrodes fabricated from these Si-NG composites delivered a stable capacity of 489 mAh/g during 25 cycles, i.e. higher than conventional graphite anodes (theoretical capacity: 372 mAh/g). The method uses low-cost materials and avoids complex setups, thereby suggesting industrial scalability.