Expired milk powder emulsion-derived carbonaceous framework/Si composite as efficient anode for lithium-ion batteries

Anodes based on silicon/carbon composites promise their commercial prospects for next-generation lithium ion batteries owing to their merits of high specific capacity, enhanced ionic and electronic conductivity, and excellent compatibility. Herein, a series of carbonaceous framework/Si composites are designed and prepared by rational waste utilization. N, P codoped foam-like porous carbon/Si composites (FPC@Si) and N, P codoped carbon coated Si composites (NPC@Si) are fabricated by utilizing expired milk powder as a carbon source with facile treatment methods. The results indicate that the porous carbon skeleton and carbon shell can improve the conductivity of Si and stabilize the solid electrolyte interfaces to avoid direct contact between active material and electrolyte. Moreover, the influence of drastic volume expansion of Si on the anode can be efficiently alleviated during charge/discharge processes. Therefore, the Si/C composite electrodes present excellent long-term cycling stability and rate capability. The electrochemical performance shows that the reversible capacity of FPC@Si and NPC@Si can be respectively maintained at 587.3 and 731.2 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 charge/discharge cycles under 400 mA g⁻¹. Most significantly, the optimized Si/C composite electrodes exhibit outstanding performance in the full cell tests, promising them great potential for practical applications. This study not only provides a valuable guidance for recycling of waste resources, but also supports a rational design strategy of advanced composite materials for high-performance energy storage devices.