Enhancing Fast Charge–Discharge Behavior of C/SiO2 Anodes by Silver Nanoparticle Integration Through a Facile Fabrication Method

Silicon-based anode materials are widely considered leading candidates for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries due to their exceptional theoretical capacity. Among them, C/SiO₂ derived from rice husks stands out for its environmental friendliness, abundant availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, its conductivity requires further enhancement to improve high-rate performance. To address this challenge, nano-silver, known for its superior electronic conductivity, is incorporated into the anode. The addition of silver nanoparticles increases the density of charge carriers, thereby enhancing conductivity. Moreover, these nanoparticles form a conductive network within the C/SiO₂ structure, reducing material resistance and ensuring even dispersion. In this study, a silver nanosolution (∼1000 ppm) was synthesized using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a surface stabilizer and sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as a reducing agent. Various silver concentrations were introduced and analyzed to determine the optimal ratio for the C/SiO₂ anode. The particle size ranges from 20 to 50 nm, with an average diameter of 36 ± 4 nm. The X-ray diffraction of C/SiO₂/Ag electrodes clearly shows a peak at 23–24° (characteristic of SiO₂, a peak at 43° featured of carbon and another peak at 38° corresponding to (111) plane of silver. The outstanding conductive agent of silver nanoparticles could be applied for a high-performance lithium-ion battery C/SiO₂ anode. The C/SiO₂/Ag electrodes exhibit an impressive high rate performance (∼70 mAh g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹). Furthermore, this research highlights the potential of nanotechnology in advancing rechargeable battery performance.