Self-supporting multi-carbon composites assist recycled-silicon for high-performance lithium storage

Silicon from retired photovoltaic panels (PV) is an important raw material for high-performance silicon-based anodes. Silicon from recycled photovoltaic panels is reactivated using high-energy ball milling in the nano scale and directly composited in on the carbon paper by means of spraying, hot-pressing treatment and chemical vapor deposition. Rational control of the composite materials is further fulfilled by introduction of additional carbon source (Resin, Expanded Graphite and Methane.) and corresponding carbonization treatment. We immobilized nanosilicon via resin-derived carbon between expanded graphite flakes and loaded them into a carbon paper framework, while the outer layer was homogeneously coated with deposited carbon. (named as CP/Si/C-R/C-EG/C-D). The rationally matched carbon materials build a stable self-supporting structure and an efficient conductive network of the recycled silicon-anode material. CP/Si/C-R/C-EG/C-D electrode with stable cycling performance of 1234 mAh g(-1) after 400 cycles at 2 A g(-1), and an outstanding rate performance (2237.7, 2132.5, 1997.9, 1840.8, 1677.3, 1534.8, and 1357 mAh g(-1) at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 A g(-1)). Therefore, this work provides a viable option for recycled-silicon from retired PV panels to be reused in high value-added ways into lithium-ion batteries.