Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for treating silicon to form pillars ( see Figure 2), especially for use as the active anode material in Li-ion batteries. The process is simple to operate on a commercial scale since it uses a solution containing only a small number of ingredients whose concentration needs to be controlled and it can be cheaper to operate than previous processes. The etching solution comprises: 0.01 to 5M HF 0.002 to 0.2M of metal ions capable of nucleating on and forming a porous layer comprising regions of elemental metal on the silicon surface; 0.001 to 0.7M of an oxidant selected from the group O2, O3, H2O2, the acid, ammonium or alkali metal salt of NO3 -, S2O8 2-, NO2 -, B4O7 2- and ClO4 - a mixture thereof. The treated silicon is suitably removed from the solution. Etched particles or fibres made by the process may be used in the form of a composite material in the active electrode material.
Abstract:
A method of etching silicon, the method comprising the steps of: electrolessly depositing a first metal onto a silicon surface to be etched, wherein the electrolessly deposited first metal partially covers the surface of the silicon to be etched; depositing a second metal that is different from the first metal over the silicon surface and the electrolessly deposited first metal, wherein a film of the deposited second metal covers the silicon surface to be etched; removing the first metal and the second metal from regions of the film of the deposited second metal that overlie the first metal to leave the second metal partially covering the silicon surface to be etched; and etching the silicon by exposing the silicon surface to an aqueous etching composition comprising an oxidant and a source of fluoride ions.
Abstract:
An electrode and electrode assembly for example for use as an anode in a lithium-ion rechargeable cell that uses silicon or silicon-based elements of specific aspect ratio dimensions and geometry 'as its active material is provided, as well as methods for manufacturing the same. The active silicon or silicon-based material may comprise fibres, sheets, flakes, tubes or ribbons, for example.
Abstract:
Pillared particles of silicon or silicon-comprising material and a method of fabricating the same. These particles may be used to create both a composite anode structure with a polymer binder, a conductive additive and a metal foil current collector, and an electrode structure. The structure of the particles overcoming the problems of charge/discharge capacity loss.