A high-performance nanoporous Si/Al2O3 foam lithium-ion battery anode fabricated by selective chemical etching of the Al–Si alloy and subsequent thermal oxidation

Abstract

Nanostructured micrometer-sized Al–Si particles are synthesized via a facile selective etching process of Al–Si alloy powder. Subsequent thin Al₂O₃ layers are introduced on the Si foam surface via a selective thermal wet oxidation process of etched Al–Si particles. The resulting Si/Al₂O₃ foam anodes exhibit outstanding cycling stability (a capacity retention of 78% after 300 cycles at the C/5 rate) and excellent rate capability.