Electrochemical Characteristics of Carbon-coated Si/Cu/graphite Composite Anode

The carbon-coated Si/Cu powder has been prepared by mechanical ball milling and hydrocarbon gas decomposition methods. The phase of Si/Cu powder was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), dispersive Raman spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The carbon-coated Si/Cu powders were used as anode active material for lithium-ion batteries. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by charge/discharge test using commercial LiCo$O_2$ cathode and lithium foil electrode, respectively. The surface phase of Si/Cu powders consisted of carbon phase like the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a spacing layer of 0.35 nm. The carbon-coated Si/Cu/graphite composite anode exhibited a higher capacity than commercial graphite anode. However, the cyclic efficiency and the capacity retention of the composite anode were lower compared with graphite anode as cycling proceeds. This effect may be attributed to some mass limitations in LiCo$O_2$ cathode materials during the cycling.