Issue 12, 2025

Sulfur-doped carbon interface modification for high-performance silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Silicon anodes are extensively investigated as a leading candidate for next-generation lithium-ion battery anode materials. However, challenges, including severe side reactions and substantial volume expansion, which result in rapid capacity fading, remain significant obstacles to their further application, particularly under high-rate charge/discharge conditions. In this study we designed a multifunctional sulfur-doped carbon layer (SDCL) on the silicon of particle surfaces. DFT demonstrates that sulfur doping modifies the carbon layer's electron cloud distribution to enhance electronic conductivity while reducing lithium-ion diffusion energy barriers, thereby facilitating fast-charging of the silicon anode. Moreover, the incorporation of sulfur promotes the formation of a more stable solid electrolyte interphase, which stabilizes the silicon structure and improves cycling durability. The resulting silicon-based anode material exhibits superior rate capability and retains 95% of its capacity after 200 cycles, with a specific capacity of 920 mA h g−1. Finally, the full cell displays a capacity retention of 72.9% after 100 cycles at 2 C. In summary, this work highlights the impact of interface modification by sulfur doping on the silicon anode materials, hence offering a new approach for the development of fast-charging and durable silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries.

Graphical abstract: Sulfur-doped carbon interface modification for high-performance silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries

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Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
11 Mar 2025
Accepted
25 Apr 2025
First published
13 May 2025

Mater. Chem. Front., 2025,9, 1896-1905

Sulfur-doped carbon interface modification for high-performance silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries

J. Li, S. Wang, F. Wang, Z. Liu, Z. Tang, W. Zhang, D. Dang, C. Pan, Q. Liu and C. Zhang, Mater. Chem. Front., 2025, 9, 1896 DOI: 10.1039/D5QM00230C

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