| 摘要 |
A method of forming a particulate material comprising silicon, the method comprising the step of reducing a particulate starting material comprising silica-containing particles having an aspect ratio of at least 3 : 1 and a smallest dimension of less than 15 microns, or reducing a particulate starting material comprising silica-containing particles comprising a plurality of elongate structural elements, each elongate structural element having an aspect ratio of at least 3 : 1 and a smallest dimension of less than 15 microns. Preferably the starting material is reduced by exposure to liquid metal or metal vapour, where the metal is preferably magnesium or calcium. The starting material may be formed by electrospinning silica. The silica may be electrospun on its own or with a polymer. Also claimed is an electrode comprising an active material comprising silicon as prepared by the process defined above. The electrode may be an anode for a rechargeable metal ion battery, preferably a lithium ion battery. |
