Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1291077 | Journal of Power Sources | 2006 | 4 Pages |
Mixed silicon–graphite composites have been prepared by means of mechanical milling process. Their micro-heterogeneous structure is considered responsible for electrode failures. A fingerprint of this process is seen by cycling the carbonaceous component of the composite in an electrolyte containing small amount of propylene–carbonate (PC). Local voltage drops close to 0 V (versus Li metal) resulted in local electrode mechanical deterioration. In the presence of silicon particles such local disorders would lead to a loose interparticle contact (zones called dead spots). Deterioration pattern of the mixed composite electrode may be considered as a set of ‘dead spots’ spreading across the electrode as the cycling proceeds. Hence, a careful optimization is necessary in order to fabricate composite electrode giving minimum local disorders and having satisfactory cycling performance.