Liquid silane-based compositions and methods for producing silicon-based materials

A method for synthesizing silicon nanofibers, comprising:

• combining a liquid silane, a polymer, a solid phase and a solvent to form a viscous solution;
• passing a stream of viscous solution through a high electric field to form fibers;
• depositing the formed fibers onto a substrate;
• and
• transforming the deposited fibers.

A method of making silicon-containing composite wires comprising:

• combining a polymer and a solvent to form a viscous solution;
• flowing liquid silane through the inner annulus of a coaxial delivery tube while flowing the viscous polymer solution through the outer annulus;
• exposing the viscous mixture to a high electric field where continuous fibers are formed and deposited onto a substrate;
• and
• transforming the deposited fibers into a composite material that contains on the inside a polysilane, an amorphous silicon and/or a crystalline silicon fraction and on the outside a carbon coating.

A method for making silicon-containing battery electrode composite, comprising:

• combining a liquid silane of the formula SinH2n, with a polymer and a solvent to form a viscous solution;
• expelling the viscous solution through a high electric field wherein continuous fibers are formed and deposited onto a metal foil substrate;
• transforming the deposited fibers by thermal treatment under inert gas;
• forming a coherent, ion conductive coating on the transformed fibers;
• and mixing
• the coated silicon nanofibers with a binder and KB carbon to form an electrode.

An electrospinning ink, comprising:

• a liquid silane of the formula SinH2n;
• a polymer;
• and
• a solvent.

An electrospinning ink, comprising:

• a liquid silane of the formula SinH2n;
• a polymer;
• a solid phase;
• and
• a solvent.