Si-based anodes are promising alternatives to graphite owing to their high capacities. However, their practical application is hindered by severe volume expansion during cycling. Herein, we propose employing a carbon support to address this challenge and utilize Si-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Specifically, carbon supports with various pore structures were prepared through KOH and NaOH activation of the pitch. In addition, Si was deposited into the carbon support pores via SiH4 chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and to enhance the conductivity and mechanical stability, a carbon coating was applied via CH4 CVD. The electrochemical performance of the C/Si/C composites was assessed, providing insights into their capacity retention rates, cycling stability, rate capability, and lithium-ion diffusion coefficients. Notably, the macrostructure of the carbon support differed significantly depending on the activation agent used. More importantly, the macrostructure of the carbon support significantly affected the Si deposition behavior and enhanced the stability by mitigating the volume expansion of the Si particles. This study elucidated the crucial role of the macrostructure of carbon supports in optimizing Si-based anode materials for LIBs, providing valuable guidance for the design and development of high-performance energy-storage systems.

Effects of macrostructure of carbon support in preparation of CSixC anode materials for lithium-ion batteries via silane decomposition
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Preparation of carbon supports
        2.2 Preparation of SiC composite materials
        2.3 Characterization
        2.4 LIB cell assembly
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Surface morphologies and textural properties of carbon supports and SixC composites
        3.2 Behavior of Si Loading onto Carbon Supports According to Textural Properties
        3.3 Crystallinity changes in carbon supports and loaded si according to CSixC preparation process
        3.4 Si loading behavior according to textural properties of carbon support
        3.5 Electrochemical performance of CSixC depending on macro- and pore structures of carbon support
        3.6 Electrode Stability of CSixC
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Kyeong Nan Kim(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea)
• Seok Chang Kang(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea)
• Sang Wan Seo(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea)
• Deok Jae Seo(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea)
• Ji Sun Im(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea, Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• Soo Hong Lee(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea)
• Jong Yeul Seog(Chemical Process Research Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea, Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea)