Improvement of electrochemical performances of ultrathin Ti-coated Si-based multilayer nanofibers as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Fullerene-like carbon core/silicon shell (FLC/Si) nanofibers are prepared via an electrospinning method followed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition technology. Then, a thin metal Ti layer is coated by electron beam physical vapor deposition. The multilayer FLC/Si/Ti electrode exhibits remarkably improved electrochemical properties as a lithium-ion battery anode compared to the uncoated anode, i.e., a higher initial Coulombic efficiency, more stable cycle performance, higher capacity and excellent rate capability (capacity over 1000 mA h g(-1) at 3200 mA g(-1)). These improved electrochemical performances of the multilayer FLC/Si/Ti electrode can be attributed to the presence of a Ti layer on the surface of the electrode.