Anode properties and morphology evolution of three-dimensional lithium-ion battery electrodes comprising Ni-coated Si microchannel plates

Using lithium foils as the counter electrodes and Ni-coated Si microchannel plates (Si-MCPs) as the matrix and active materials, half-cells were fabricated and tested. Galvanostatic charge–discharge (C–D) measurements were conducted at 100 mA g−1 between 0.05 and 1.5 V. By decreasing the Li insertion/extraction level, the Ni/Si-MCP anode retained the reversible discharge capacity of 1000 mA h g−1 for 80 cycles and 500 mA h g−1 for 104 cycles, respectively. The morphology of the Ni/Si-MCP after the galvanostatic cycles was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the mechanism of electrode fading was investigated and described.

► Decreasing the Li insertion/extraction level will improve the cyclic performances.
► The morphology of the Ni/Si-MCP after the galvanostatic cycles was examined.
► The mechanism of electrode fading was investigated and described.