Nanocomposites of silicon/titanium carbide synthesized using high-energy mechanical milling for use as anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Silicon-based nanocomposites containing TiC were synthesized by high-energy mechanical milling (HEMM). Mechanical milling leads to very fine amorphous silicon particles distributed homogeneously inside the TiC matrix. The Si/TiC nanocomposites synthesized using different experimental conditions were evaluated for their electrochemical properties. Results indicate that silicon, in the composite, alloys and de-alloys with lithium during cycling, while the matrix remains inactive providing structural stability. The composite containing 40 mol.% silicon obtained after milling for 6 h exhibits a high capacity ∼340 mAh/g with good capacity retention indicating the good phase and microstructural stability as verified by XRD and SEM analyses.