High rate performance of virus enabled 3D n-type Si anodes for lithium-ion batteries

► A novel three-dimensional Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) assembled n-type silicon anode is reported for the first time. ► The combination of the large surface area conferred by the virus-enabled 3D Ni/TMV1cys current collector with the high electric conductivity of n-type Si rods results in excellent cyclic stability and rate capability for the core-shell n-type Si/Ni/TMV1cys anodes. ► Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that the high electronic conductivity of n-type Si significantly reduces charge transfer resistance, thus even at high C-rates the capacity of the n-type Si is increased to almost 1000 mAh/g compared to undoped Si.