Hollow Porous SiO_2 Nanocubes with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

The high theoretical capacity and low discharge potential of silicon have attracted much attention on Si-based anodes. Herein, hollow porous SiO2 nanocubes have been prepared via a two-step hard-template process and evaluated as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The hollow porous SiO2 nanocubes exhibited a reversible capacity of 919 mAh/g over 30 cycles. The excellent property could be attributed to the unique hollow nanostructure with large volume interior and numerous crevices in the shell, which could accommodate the volume change and alleviate the structural strain during Li ions insertion and extraction, as well as allow rapid access of Li ions during charge/discharge cycling. It is found that the formation of irreversible or reversible lithium silicates in the anodes determines the capacity of a deep-cycle battery, fast transportation of Li ions in hollow porous SiO2 nanocubes is preferred to form Li2O and Si, contributing to the high reversible capacity. The hollow porous SiO2 nanocubes have great potential applications for Li-ion batteries due to their remarkable electrochemical performance and low cost.