A new ternary composite lithium silicon nitride as anode material for lithium ion batteries

Lithium silicon nitride, a new Li-loaded anode material for lithium ion batteries, was synthesized by high energy ball milling. The obtained amorphous composite is found to possess high electrochemical active properties of reversible lithium insertion and extraction. A reversible capacity about 500 mAh g^-1 is obtained after the first cycle. The retention capacity after 50 cycles is above 400 mAh g^-1, 80% of the reversible capacity of the second cycle. The structure of the composite is stable even at a high lithium-extraction state and can still maintain an excellent cycling performance under that cut-off voltage window. It is a promising candidate for capacity-compensation system because of its reversible lithium insertion and extraction within a wide voltage cut-off window.