In-situ self-assembly robust defected graphene wrapped silicon/nanorod carbon for high-performance binder-free Li ion battery

• Utilization of evaporation-induced self-assembling method benefits to prepare the large scalable electrode film. • 3D conductive porous network provides voids for Si expansion and accelerates lithium ion transport. • The binder-free Si/NRC@DG stabilizes the capacity retention. • The Si/NRC@DG//LiFePO 4 full cell exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. High capacity silicon electrode with low cost is deemed as the promising anode material for the future Li-ion batteries with the replacement of graphite anode. In this work, robust defected graphene layers wrapped silicon/nanorod carbon (Si/NRC@DG) is synthesized through evaporation-induced self-assembly method for high lithium ion storage. Results show that the rapid conductive network formed by nanorods and defected graphene shorten the electron/lithium ion pathway to reach Si nanoparticles, enhancing the utilization. Meanwhile, the unique three-dimensional nano-architecture accommodates the large volumetric expansion of Si, immerses the electrolyte and facilitates efficient lithium ion diffusion. As a result, the so-synthesized Si/NRC@DG electrode exhibits a remarkable capacity of 669 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 after 100 cycles. Coupled with LiFePO 4 cathode, the assembled full cell is capable of offering an initial capacity of 126 mA h g −1 , providing opportunities for realizing high energy lithium ion batteries.