Nanostructured current collectors for high-capacity binder-free alloying type anodes for alkali metal-ion batteries

This thesis focuses on the synthesizing binder-free alloying anodes by interface modification of current collectors for alkali metal-ion batteries, specifically Li-ion batteries with specific targets of one-dimensional NW synthesis, stabilizing the active material interfaces, increasing the areal capacity and surface area. Stabilizing the current collector/alloying active material interface and electrolyte/ alloying active material interface is crucial for improving the electrochemical performance of the alkali metal-ion batteries, especially Si and Sb anodes for lithium and potassium-ion batteries. The core chapters are arranged as research articles with introductory summaries at the beginning of each chapter. Theoretically, alloying anodes are promising active materials delivering high specific capacity at low working voltage anodes across alkali metal-ion batteries. Despite this benefit, the huge volume chances of alloying anodes during repeated cycling lead to pulverization and SEI layer instability. A 3D structured current collector (CC) with increased surface area and porosity accommodating the active material volume change can mitigate this delamination by stabilizing the current collector/alloying active material interface.