Core-shell high capacity nanowires for battery electrodes

A battery electrode for use in an electrochemical battery, the battery electrode comprising:

• a conductive substrate;
• and
• a nanostructure comprising:
• a conductive core for providing electronic conductivity along the length of the nanostructure;
• an inner shell including a high capacity electrochemically active material having a capacity of at least about 1000 mAh/g and in electronic communication with the conductive core;
• and
• an outer shell partially coating the inner shell and substantially preventing formation of a Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) directly on the inner shell,
• wherein at least the conductive core and the inner shell are in electronic communication with the conductive substrate.

A method of forming a nanostructure for use in a battery electrode, the method comprising:

• forming a conductive core for providing electronic conductivity along the length of the nanostructure;
• forming an inner shell including a high capacity electrochemically active material having a stable electrochemical capacity of at least about 1000 mAh/g and in electronic communication with the conductive core;
• and
• forming an outer shell partially coating the inner shell and substantially preventing formation of a Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) directly on the inner shell.