Our new paper in Journal of Alloys and Compounds (Rank 8/90) "NiO/Ni-catalyzed silicon nanowires embedded in a 3D composite anode to improve cyclability in Li-ion batteries"

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) address key challenges associated with traditional silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by mitigating pulverization and providing efficient ion transport pathways. However, their high fabrication cost and poor structural stability remain significant obstacles. This study presents a novel SiNW-CNT-rGO composite fabricated via a solid-liquid-solid (SLS) growth mechanism using NiO/Ni catalysts to establish a 3D conductive network. The composite integrates carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to enhance electrical conductivity and stabilize the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Embedding the composite in 3D nickel foam (NF) further improves structural integrity and enhances Li+ ion diffusion, outperforming conventional copper foil (CF) current collectors in capacity across various rates. The integrated design provides efficient electron and ion transport pathways while mitigating mechanical stresses. Electrochemical evaluations reveal that the SiNW-CNT-rGO@NF anode significantly improves specific capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability compared to SiNW-based anodes with CF. These findings reveal the potential of the 3D SiNW-CNT-rGO@NF architecture as a scalable and cost-effective solution for next-generation high-performance LIBs.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.179886