Synthesis of C/SiC Mixtures for Composite Anodes of Lithium-Ion Power Sources
, Oleg A. Bashirov 1, Natalia M. Leonova 1, Alexey S. Lebedev 2, Alexey A. Trofimov 1,3 and Andrey V. Suzdaltsev 1,3,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also sees significant use for grid-scale energy storage and military and aerospace applications. Compared to other rechargeable battery technologies, Li-ion batteries have high energy densities, low self-discharge, and no memory effect (although a small memory effect reported in LFP cells has been traced to poorly made cells).
Research areas for lithium-ion batteries include extending lifetime, increasing energy density, improving safety, reducing cost, and increasing charging speed, among others. Research has been under way in the area of non-flammable electrolytes as a pathway to increased safety based on the flammability and volatility of the organic solvents used in the typical electrolyte.
As mentioned by the authors, nowadays, research is being carried out all over the world aimed at developing materials 11 for lithium-ion power sources with increased energy density. This work is interesting and publishable, the only thing that needs to be addressed is that a careful proof-reading (for avoiding any errors or misused items) must be conducted prior to publication in the journal.
In addition, the authors may strengthen the logic of the current work by reorganizing the abstract and figures. For example, figures may be combined further.
Author Response
1) This work is interesting and publishable, the only thing that needs to be addressed is that a careful proof-reading (for avoiding any errors or misused items) must be conducted prior to publication in the journal.
Answer: The English language has been corrected. We hope that this will partially remove the following remark of the reviewer.
In addition, the authors may strengthen the logic of the current work by reorganizing the abstract and figures. For example, figures may be combined further.
Answer: Some figures have been merged as far as possible.
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper reported synthesis of c/sic mixtures for composite anodes of lithium-ion power sources. The working ability of the resulting mixtures during lithiation/delithiation 19 was shown, and the basic energy characteristics of the mixtures are determined. After 100 cycles, 20 pure SiC reached a discharge capacity of 180 and 138 mAh g-1 at a charge current of 0.05C and C, 21 and for the mixtures of (wt%) 29.5C-70.5 SiC and 50Si-14.5C-35.5SiC discharge capacity of 328 and 22 400 mAh g-1 at a charge current of 0.5C were achieved. Overall, this work is well prepared and organized. Therefore, I suggest acceptance after minor revision.
1 Beside carbothermal reduction, metallothermic reduction reactions is also very important in prepare SiC. Please give some comment(DOI: 10.1002/smtd.201800062).
2 Besides ICP, is there any other characterization to reveal composite? Such as TGA
3 For the Raman analysis, detailed structure information about carbon should be offered. (DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08977d; doi.org/10.1016/j.vibspec.2014.07.009 )
4 EIS spectra should be provided.
Author Response
Beside carbothermal reduction, metallothermic reduction reactions is also very important in prepare SiC. Please give some comment (DOI: 10.1002/smtd.201800062).
Answer: Thanks for the link. In the article, we aimed at the synthesis of silicon carbide from the most available reagents. However, we strongly agree with the reviewer. The comment has been added to the article.
Besides ICP, is there any other characterization to reveal composite? Such as TGA
Answer:
Previously, we used the LECO analyzer to determine carbon in C/SiC mixtures; we did not do this specifically in this work. Probably, we will also use this method of analysis later, if it allows us to obtain important data.
For the Raman analysis, detailed structure information about carbon should be offered. (DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08977d; doi.org/10.1016/j.vibspec.2014.07.009)
Answer: Thanks to the reviewer for the links. We agree that the structure of the graphite used is important. Unfortunately, in this work we could not pay sufficient attention to this issue. Based on the available spectrum, we can only state the absence of clear peaks related to graphene, as described in the papers proposed by the reviewer.
EIS spectra should be provided.
Answer: Available EIS data added.
Reviewer 3 Report
This work prepared C/SiC and SiC materials by employing carbothermal method. A further compositing with silicon leads to good performance. This is an interesting work and a good contribution to Applied Science. Following revisions are suggested to improve the quality of this article:
1 The C/SiC anode is widely studied. How about the novelty of this paper?
2 In Fig8a, how to explain the discharge capacity increases with cycling?
3 Some recent papers on the energy storage field (such as doi: 10.1039/D0TA04768F; 10.1039/D2QI01973F; 10.1021/acsami.2c03813) are suggested to be referred.
4. The paper needs to be carefully proofread and English polished to ensure a proper readability.
Author Response
The C/SiC anode is widely studied. How about the novelty of this paper?
Answer: Yes, we agree with the reviewer. The method is not new. Using this method, samples of unique morphology with the required dimensions were obtained in one step without the use of a protective atmosphere, which were used as an anode material for a lithium-ion power sources.
In Fig8a, how to explain the discharge capacity increases with cycling?
Answer: We attribute the increase in capacitance to the gradual activation of the anode material. The same behavior has been observed in a number of other studies.
Some recent papers on the energy storage field (such as doi: 10.1039/D0TA04768F; 10.1039/D2QI01973F; 10.1021/acsami.2c03813) are suggested to be referred.
Answer: Thanks to the reviewer for the links. Reflected in the text that the anode materials indicated in the works are also of interest.
The paper needs to be carefully proofread and English polished to ensure a proper readability.
Answer: The text has been corrected.
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors have put considerable effort into addressing the reports of the referees. As a result, the submission has been greatly improved and is worthy of publication.
