Effect of improved dispersibility of an MWCNT conductive material by oxyfluorination on the electrochemical performance of SiOx/C-based electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Oxyfluorination treatment was used to enhance the electrochemical properties of SiOx/C-based lithium-ion battery anode materials by improving the dispersibility of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which are conductive materials. The dispersibility, chemical, and morphological characteristics of the oxyfluorinated carbon nanotubes were confirmed through various analyses. In addition, the effect of oxyfluorination was analyzed by a lithium-ion battery performance test, and the discharge capacity and cycling stability were significantly improved. The introduction of oxygen functional groups onto the surface of the carbon nanotubes improved their dispersibility. The fluorine functional groups also acted as catalysts for the introduction of these oxygen functional groups onto the surface and improved the cycling stability by forming a LiF-based solid electrolyte interphase layer. The high discharge capacity and improved cycling stability of these lithium-ion batteries were attributed to the enhanced dispersibility of carbon nanotubes induced by oxyfluorination and the resulting enhancement of the 3D network in the anode material promoting the movement of lithium ions and electrons.