Self-Assembly of Silicon Nanotubes Driven by a Biphasic Transition from the Natural Mineral Montmorillonite in Molten Salt Electrolysis

Silicon nanotubes (SNTs) have been considered as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the reported strategies for preparing SNTs generally have special requirements for either expensive templates or complex catalysts. It is necessary to explore a cost-effective and efficient approach for the preparation of high-performance SNTs. In this work, a biphasic transformation strategy involving “solid-state reduction” and “dissolution-deposition” in molten salts is developed to prepare SNTs using montmorillonite as a precursor. The rod-like intermediate of silicon-aluminum-calcium is initially reduced in solid state, which then triggers the continuous dissolution and deposition of calcium silicate in the inner space of the intermediate to form a hollow structure during the subsequent reduction process. The transition from solid to liquid is crucial for improving the kinetics of deoxygenation and induces the self-assembly of SNTs during electrolysis. When the obtained SNTs is used as anode materials for LIBs, they exhibit a high capacity of 2791 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, excellent rate capability of 1427 mA h g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹, and stable cycling performance with a capacity of 2045 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹. This work provides a self-assembling, controllable, and cost-effective approach for fabricating SNTs.