Robust Cu microcone-array supported silicon film with superb cycling stability for negative electrode of lithium battery

We report a Si anode sputter deposited on a Cu microcone-array (MCA) current collector, fabricated by a facile one-step electroless deposition process, for the application in negative electrode of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with outstanding electrochemical performance. The vacancy between Cu microcones allow effective relief of the strain induced by the volume change of active materials during lithiation, as well as a facile Li+ transport. After 2800 cycles, LIBs based on this novel 3D MCA structure demonstrate a high reversible capacity of 1213 mAh g-1, as well as almost 100 % coulombic efficiency (CE), while super-high rate performance of 1011 mAh g-1 was obtained at 16.5 C.