Silicon/flake graphite/carbon anode materials prepared with different dispersants by spray-drying method for lithium ion batteries

Silicon/flake graphite/carbon (Si/FG/C) composites were synthesized with different dispersants via spray drying and subsequent pyrolysis, and effects of dispersants on the characteristics of the composites were investigated. The structure and properties of the composites were determined by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical measurements. The results show that samples have silicon/flake graphite/amorphous carbon composite structure, good spherical appearances, and better electrochemical performance than pure nano-Si and FG/C composites. Compared with the Si/FG/C composite using washing powder as dispersant, the Si/FG/C composite using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as dispersant has better electrochemical performance with a reversible capacity of 602.68 mA·h/g, and a capacity retention ratio of 91.58 % after 20 cycles.