Nanoscale silicon-based compositions and methods of preparation
View Patent ↗The present invention is related to nano-particle compositions, methods of their preparation and applications thereof. The nano-particle compositions include silicon-containing nano-particles, a graphite matrix, carbon nanotubes and an amorphous carbon interface formed between the silicon-containing nano-particles and the graphite matrix.
1. A method of preparing a nano-particle structure in situ, comprising:
combining a silicon-containing material and a reducing agent to form a first mixture;
milling the first mixture to form in situ amorphous and/or nanocrystalline silicon-containing nano-particles;
combining the amorphous and/or nanocrystalline silicon-containing nano-particles with polymer and graphite to produce a second mixture;
milling said second mixture to produce a milled precursor; and
heat treating said milled precursor to produce said nano-particle structure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, cellulose, purolite and mixtures thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein silicon carbide formation is minimized at least, or precluded.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is present in an amount that is in excess as compared to an amount of each of the amorphous and/or nanocrystalline silicon-containing nano-particles and the graphite in the mixture.