Formation of silicon-carbon composite particles by magnesiothermic reduction of silicon oxide for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A method of making silicon-carbon composite particles is disclosed. The method includes: (A1) carrying out metallothermic reduction on initial particles comprising silicon oxide in the presence of a metal to form first intermediate particles comprising (1) an oxide of the metal and (2) silicon; (A2) forming a termination material on and in the first intermediate particles to form second intermediate particles; (A3) selectively removing the oxide of the metal from the second intermediate particles to form third intermediate particles; and (A4) forming a protective material on and in the third intermediate particles to form the silicon-carbon composite particles. In some implementations, the metal comprises magnesium or a magnesium-aluminum alloy. Silicon-carbon composite particles, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and other related processes and components are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.