Subeutectic growth of single-crystal silicon nanowires grown on and wrapped with graphene nanosheets: High-performance anode material for lithium-ion battery

A novel one-pot synthesis for the subeutectic growth of (111) oriented Si nanowires on an in situ formed nickel nanoparticle catalyst prepared from an inexpensive nickel nitrate precursor is developed. Additionally, anchoring the nickel nanoparticles to a simultaneously reduced graphene oxide support created synergy between the individual components of the c-SiNW-G composite, which greatly improved the reversible charge capacity and it is retention at high current density when applied as an anode for a Li-ion battery. The c-SiNW-G electrodes for Li-ion battery achieved excellent high-rate performance, producing a stable reversible capacity of 550 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 6.8 A g^-1 (78% of that at 0.1 A g^-1). Thus, with further development this process creates an important building block for a new wave of low-cost silicon nanowire materials and a promising avenue for high rate Li-ion batteries.