Automatic shaping
The spontaneous generation of one-dimensional (1D) silicon from electrochemical reduction of solid silica in molten salts remains yet to be addressed. Shuangxi’s recent study shows that calcium silicates, the well-known intermediates during electrochemical reduction of solid silica in molten CaCl2, experiences an oriented growth to CaSiO3 nanorods. The in-situ oriented growth is clarified as the key step to direct a template-free evolution of Si nanotubes (Si-NTs) from silica, regardless of the morphology of the precursory silica. Benefitting from fast longitudinal motorways for fast transport of electrons and ions along/inside NTs, an energy consumption 30% lower than industrial silicon production is achieved. The Si-NT-based electrodes show outstanding initial Coulombic effienency and high reversible capacity. The above results are now accepted for publication in Small. Many congratulations to Shuangxi.
