Tailoring the morphological properties of anodized Ti3SiC2 for better power density of Li-ion microbatteries

In this work, it is reported that the morphology of negative electrodes based on anodized Ti₃SiC₂ has a strong influence on the electrochemical performance of Li-ion microbatteries. Ti₃SiC₂ was anodized in an aqueous electrolyte containing hydrofluoric acid to form an oxide film. Two typical porous structures produced at low and high applied potentials were examined by scanning electron microscopy and characterized by X-ray diffraction, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and electrochemical techniques. The power density delivered by the nanolayered structure obtained at 10 V is almost 3 times higher than that obtained from a mesoporous material formed at 60 V. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to explain that this enhanced electrochemical property is related to the higher amount of Li⁺ stored at the surface of the nanolayered structure.