Ultrathin Carbon Sheet Obtained by Self-Template Method toward Highly Effective Charge Transfer for Si-Based Anodes

A dynamic and stable charge transfer process is the key to exerting lithium storage characteristics of the silicon anode with a large volume change. In this work, the composite with an ultrathin carbon sheet skeleton is prepared by freeze-drying and a copyrolysis process after uniformly mixing citric acid and hydroxylated Si NPs, which is different from traditional conformal carbon coating derived from citric acid. A flexible carbon sheet reduces internal particle (Si-OH@NC) slip and cooperates with interfacial Si-O-C bonding to buffer machinal stress in the electrode during cycling. More importantly, the carbon sheet network increases the point-to-surface contact area between the active material and the conductive agent, ensures continuous electrical connection from the current collector to the active material, and promotes a rapid and stable electron transfer process. Besides, the N-doped C structure with remarkable nucleophilicity guarantees fast ion transport, which is confirmed by theoretical calculation. In this way, the reaction reversibility of the Si-based electrode is further realized during cycles. As a result, the electrode delivers excellent cycle performance (reversible capacity of 1001.9 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 500 cycles) and rate performance (capacity retention of 86.8 and 65.8% at 1 and 3 A g-1, respectively, compared to 0.2 A g-1). The idea of constructing a highly efficient electrode conductive network through a doped-carbon sheet network is also applicable to other active materials with huge volume changes during lithium storage.