Flexible binder-free metal fibril mat-supported silicon anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

We report the fabrication of a flexible and binder-free metal fibril mat-supported Si anode (Si@SFM) by a simple process. The fabricated Si@SFM anode showed a high discharge capacity, ∼3000 mAh g^-1 at a current rate of 300 mA g^-1, and exhibited stable capacity retention, 90% at a 1 C rate (2000 mA g^-1) after 200 cycles. The rate capability of the electrode was still high even when both the charge and the discharge current rates were markedly increased at the same time (1234 mAh g^-1 for charge-discharge time of ∼12 min). Moreover, owing to its mechanical flexibility, the Si@SFM can be adopted as a key component of flexible lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). After cell packaging, the rechargeable flexible battery under bending stress showed only a little capacity fading (86% of initial capacity) at 1000 mA g^-1 over 150 cycles. These results suggest that the Si@SFM electrode is readily suitable for use in rechargeable flexible LIBs.