Electrochemical reaction mechanism of silicon nitride as negative electrode for all-solid-state Li-ion battery

Electrochemical energy storage has emerged as a promising solution to address the intermittency of renewable energy resources and meet energy demand efficiently. Si₃N₄-based negative electrodes have recently gained recognition as prospective candidates for lithium-ion batteries due to their advantageous attributes, mainly including a high theoretical capacity and minimal polarization. In our study, we explored the use of Si₃N₄ as an anode material for all-solid-state lithium-ion battery configuration, with lithium borohydride as the solid electrolyte and Li foil as the counter-electrode. Through galvanostatic charge/discharge profiling, we achieved a remarkable maximum reversible capacity of 832 mAh/g. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the lithiation and delithiation mechanisms, utilizing techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These findings indicate the potential of Si₃N₄-based materials for high-capacity and low-polarization energy storage systems, offering significant possibilities in the field.