Vertically aligned silicon/carbon nanotube (VASCNT) arrays: Hierarchical anodes for lithium-ion battery

Vertically aligned silicon/carbon nanotube arrays are directly synthesized on Inconel metal current collector as lithium-ion battery anode. The hierarchical anode eliminates the traditional preparation of electrodes obviating the use of polymer binder facilitating the desired lithium ion and electron kinetics in the electrode. The simple approach demonstrates a facile non-template way to prepare integrated anode architectures. The as synthesized anode demonstrates stable capacity similar to 2000 mAhg(-1) with only 6% irreversible loss observed in the first cycle. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.