Multi-layered carbon coated Si-based composite as anode for lithium-ion batteries

•A Si@C@RGO composite was prepared by a two-step in-situ carbon coating process.•A carbon matrix was constructed to improve the performance of Si@C@RGO composite.•The composite exhibited stable cycling properties and excellent rate capability.

Si-based composite with multi-layered structure composed of multicomponent carbon was successfully prepared via a two-step in-situ carbon coating process. The physicochemical properties of the composite were characterized by TG-DTA, XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman and electrochemical measurements. XPS reveals the presence of reduced graphene oxide. SEM and TEM images demonstrate that the nano-Si particles are well dispersed in multi-layered carbon matrix constructed by resin-pyrolyzed carbon and reduced graphene oxide. Used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the prepared Si@C@RGO composite exhibits improved electrochemical performance. The electrochemical results indicate that the composite exhibits a high initial charge capacity of 1474.9 mAh g− 1, with an initial columbic efficiency of 74.57%. The composite also delivered a higher charge capacity at various current densities, and show good rate performance, which is partly attributed to the stable multi-layered structure.

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