Preparation and characterization of silicon/silver anode materials

Silicon/Silver composite with nano-sized silver particles was synthesized based on principle of a disturbed silver-mirror reaction. Comparing with the direct method, highly dispersed nano-silver particles are easier to be obtained by the present method with simple preparation technology and high productivity of silver. Silver particles with particle size less than 20 nm were uniformly dispersed on the surface of silicon particles, no any other phase except silicon and silver could be observed in the composite. The composite with 10wt% of silver could deliver a reversible capacity more than 500 mAh.g(-1) after 30 cycles. AC impedance spectra indicate that existence of nano-silver is favorable to electrical conductivity; therefore, cycleability of composite is improved.