Preparation of TiSi2 Powders with Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage via Chemical Oven Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis

Although silicon has highest specific capacity as anode for lithium-ion battery (LIB), its large volume change during the charge/discharge process becomes a great inevitable hindrance before commercialization. Metal silicides may be an alternative choice because they have the ability to accommodate the volume change by dispersing Si in the metal matrix as well as very good electrical conductivity. Herein we report on the suitability of lithium-ion uptake in C54 TiSi2 prepared by the “chemical oven” self-propagating high-temperature synthesis from the element reactants, which was known as an inactive metal silicide in lithium-ion storage previously. After being wrapped by graphene, the agglomeration of TiSi2 particles has been efficiently prevented, resulting in an enhanced lithium-ion storage performance when using as an anode for LIB. The as-received TiSi2/RGO hybrid exhibits considerable activities in the reversible lithiation and delithiation process, showing a high reversible capacity of 358 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g. Specially, both TiSi2 and TiSi2/RGO electrodes show a remarkable enhanced electrochemical performance along with the cycle number, indicating the promising potential in lithium-ion storage of this silicide. Ex-situ XRD during charge/discharge process reveals alloying reaction may contribute to the capacity of TiSi2. This work suggests that TiSi2 and other inactive transition metal silicides are potential promising anode materials for Li-ion battery and capacitor.