Utilizing carbon nanofibers with MnO2 coating for high-performance silicon-based anodes of lithium-ion batteries

The structural design of silicon often addresses the drawbacks of large volume fluctuations during discharge, low electrical conductivity, and fast electrode capacity degradation during cycling. Cladding on the silicon's outer layer is often a usual method. This work presents the rational design of Si@CNFs@MnO2 composite silicon-based anode materials using solvent techniques and electrospun technologies. As the primary carrier, the intermediate layer of carbon nanofibers created by electrospun limits the growth of the inner Si layer and the outer MnO2 layer while simultaneously enhancing the composite structure's overall electrical conductivity. High capacity can be supplied by the outermost layer of MnO2, which also serves to restrict internal expansion. The anode material's contact area with the electrolyte and the active sites for lithium storage is increased by this layered structure, which offers superior cycling performance and a long lifespan. After 1700 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1, it has a reversible capacity of 1152.9 mAh g−1 with good capacity recovery at varied current densities; this design, which uses carbon nanofibers as the intermediate layer, can be applied to other composite materials. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd