Micro-sized Silicon Carbonitride Prepared by Radical Polymerization as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

Xin Xia; Zhen-Peng Zhang; De-Shuo Wang; Yi-Han Li; Jing-Jiang Sun; Jian-Jiang He; Qing-Fu Wang; Wei Zhao

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3659-9

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Micro-sized Silicon Carbonitride Prepared by Radical Polymerization as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-06-09

- Micro-sized Silicon Carbonitride Prepared by Radical Polymerization as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages: 2659-2669(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  Key Laboratory of Rubber-plastics, Ministry of Education, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
- Author bio：
  
  wangqf@qust.edu.cn (Q.F.W.)
  zwqust@qust.edu.cn (W.Z.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3659-9
  CLC：
- Received：12 January 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-02-10，
  
  Accepted：11 March 2026，
  
  Online First：09 June 2026，
  
  Published：15 August 2026
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Xia, X.; Zhang, Z. P.; Wang, D. S.; Li, Y. H.; Sun, J. J.; He, J. J.; Wang, Q. F.; Zhao, W. Micro-sized silicon carbonitride prepared by radical polymerization as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2659–2669

Xin Xia, Zhen-Peng Zhang, De-Shuo Wang, et al. Micro-sized Silicon Carbonitride Prepared by Radical Polymerization as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2659-2669.
Xia, X.; Zhang, Z. P.; Wang, D. S.; Li, Y. H.; Sun, J. J.; He, J. J.; Wang, Q. F.; Zhao, W. Micro-sized silicon carbonitride prepared by radical polymerization as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2659–2669 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3659-9.

Xin Xia, Zhen-Peng Zhang, De-Shuo Wang, et al. Micro-sized Silicon Carbonitride Prepared by Radical Polymerization as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2659-2669. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3659-9.

摘要

Organopolysilazane oligomers undergo free radical polymerization to produce uniform polymer microspheres

which are then pyrolyzed at about 1000 °C in N

to form amorphous SiCNO ceramic microspheres with embedded free carbon domains. This unique structure enables the material to achieve high capacity

excellent long-term cycling stability

and robust structural integrity as a lithium-ion battery anode.

Abstract

To address the critical issue of volume expansion in silicon-based anode materials and enhance battery performance

a novel method for synthesizing microsized silicon carbonitride (SiCNO) ceramic particles was presented as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. SiCNO ceramic microspheres were prepared

via

high-temperature pyrolysis of organopolysilazane microspheres (OPSZ MPs)

which were synthesized

via

free radical polymerization of silazane oligomers initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The SiCNO microspheres

serve as the active materials in lithium-ion batteries anode

demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance with an initial discharge-specific capacity of 1663.3 mAh·g

–1

and 622.9 mAh·g

–1

after 400 cycles at 1 A·g

–1

. These microspheres exhibited superior structural stability during the lithiation and delithiation processes

with a volume expansion of 25.46% during cycling. The enhanced performance can be attributed to their regular spherical structures and larger specific surface area

which improve the ion/electron transport and stress distribution. This study highlights the potential of synthesizing and regulating the morphology of SiCNO particles to improve the performance of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

providing a balance between high electrochemical activity and structural stability.

关键词

Keywords

references

Ren, W.; Zhou, Y.; Li, J.; Huang, L.; Sun, S. Si anode for next-generation lithium-ion battery. Curr. Opin. Electrochem. 2019 , 18 , 46−54..

Xu, Q.; Li, J.; Sun, J.; Yin, Y.; Wan, L.; Guo, Y. Watermelon-inspired Si/C microspheres with hierarchical buffer structures for densely compacted lithium-ion battery anodes. Adv. Energy Mater. 2017 , 7 , 1601481..

Zhang, Y.; Huang, H.; Chen, X.; Gao, T.; Li, J.; Yao, Y.; Xu, Z.; Zheng, M.; Liu, Z. Facile synthesis of graphite-SiO x /C core-shell composite anode for high stable lithium-ion batteries. Energy Fuels 2024 , 38 , 23140−23149..

Mera, G.; Navrotsky, A.; Sen, S.; Kleebe, H.; Riedel, R. Polymer-derived SiCN and SiOC cer amics - structure and energetics at the nanoscale. J. Mater. Chem. A 2013 , 1 , 3826−3836..

Jiang, J.; Zhang, Y.; Guo, X.; Zhang, H. Narrow or monodisperse, highly cross-linked, and "living" polymer microspheres by atom transfer radical precipitation polymerization. Macromolecules 2011 , 44 , 5893−5904..

Zhang, B.; Lu, J.; Liu, X.; Jin, H.; He, G.; Guo, X. Synthesis of controllable carboxylated polystyrene microspheres by two-step dispersion polymerization with hydrocarbon alcohols. Int. J. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 2018 , 702597..

Zhang, Z.; Calderon, J.; Fahad, S.; Ju, L.; Antony, D.; Yang, Y.; Kushima, A.; Zhai, L. Polymer-derived ceramic nanoparticle/edge-functionalized graphene oxide composites for lithium-ion storage. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021 , 13 , 9794−9803..

Gao, B.; Li, D.; Lei, Q. Preparation of high PMMA grafted particle SiO 2 using surface initiated free radical polymerization. J. Polym. Res. 2011 , 18 , 1519−1526..

Ionescu, E.; Kleebe, H.; Riedel, R. Silicon-contai ning polymer-derived ceramic nanocomposites (PDC-NCs): preparative approaches and properties. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2012 , 41 , 5032−5052..

Esteves, A.; Brokken-Zijp, J.; Laven, J.; Huinink, H.; Reuvers, N.; Van, M.; de With, G. Influence of cross-linker concentration on the cross-linking of PDMS and the network structures formed. Polymer 2009 , 50 , 3955−3966..

Chavez, R.; Ionescu, E.; Balan, C.; Fasel, C.; Riedel, R. Effect of ambient atmosphere on crosslinking of polysilazanes. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2011 , 119 , 794−802..

Liu, Y.; Lin, X.; Gong, H.; Zhang, Y.; Feng, Y.; Mao, J.; Xie, B. Electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption performances of nickel-doped SiCN ceramics pyrolyzed at different temperatures. J. Alloys Compd. 2019 , 771 , 356−363..

Chen, J.; Mao, Z.; Zhang, L.; Wang, D.; Xu, R.; Bie, L.; Fahlman, B. Nitrogen-deficient graphitic carbon nitride with enhanced performance for lithium-ion battery anodes. ACS Nano 2017 , 11 , 12650−12657..

Ying, H.; Yang, T.; Zhang , S.; Guo, R.; Wang, J.; Han, W. Dual immobilization of SnOx nanoparticles by N-doped carbon and TiO 2 for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020 , 12 , 55820−55829..

Guo, X.; Li, W.; Geng, P.; Zhang, Q.; Pang, H.; Xu, Q. Construction of SiOx/nitrogen-doped carbon superstructures derived from rice husks for boosted lithium storage. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 , 606 , 784−792..

Feng, Y.; Wei, Y.; Jia, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Battaglia, V.; Liu, G. Polymer-derived and sodium hydroxide-treated silicon carbonitride material as anodes for high electrochemical performance Li-ion batteries. ChemistrySelect 2016 , 1 , 309−317..

Xu, B.; Shen, H.; Ge, J.; Tang, Q. Improved cycling performance of SiOx/MgO/Mg 2 SiO 4 /C composite anode materials for lithium-ion battery. Appl. Surf. Sci . 2021 , 546 , 148814..

Shi, H.; Yuan, A.; Xu, J. Tailored synthesis of monodispersed nano/submicron porous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) spheres with improved Li-storage performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. J. Power Sources 2017 , 364 , 288−298..

Yin, L.; Park, M.; Jeon, I.; Hwang, J.; Kim, J.; Lee, H.; Park, M.; Jeong, S.; Cho, C. Silicon nanoparticle self-incorporated in hollow nitrogen-doped carbon microspheres for lithium-ion battery anodes. Electrochim. Acta 2021 , 368 , 137630..

Xiao, Z.; Lei, C.; Yu, C.; Chen, X.; Zhu, Z.; Jiang, H.; Wei, F. Si@Si 3 N 4 @C composite with egg-like structure as high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries. Energy Storage Mater. 2020 , 24 , 565−573..

Zhang, L.; Al-Mamun, M.; Wang, L.; Dou, Y.; Qu, L.; Dou, S.; Liu, H.; Zhao, H. The typical structural evolution of silicon anode. Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 2022 , 3 , 100811..

Takezawa, H.; Iwamoto, K.; Ito, S.; Yoshizawa, H. Electrochemical behaviors of nonstoichiometric silicon suboxides (SiO x ) film prepared by reactive evaporation for lithium rechargeable batteries. J. Power Sources 2013 , 244 , 149−157..

Philippe, B.; Dedryvère, R.; Allouche, J.; Lindgren, F.; Gorgoi, M.; Rensmo, H.; Gonbeau, D.; Edström, K. Nanosilicon Electrodes for lithium-ion batteries:interfacial mecha nisms studied by hard and soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Chem. Mater. 2012 , 24 , 1107−1115..

Han, M.; Mu, Y.; Yuan, F.; Liang, J.; Jiang, T.; Bai, X.; Yu, J. Vertical graphene growth on uniformly dispersed sub-nanoscale SiO x /N-doped carbon composite microspheres with a 3D conductive network and an ultra-low volume deformation for fast and stable lithium-ion storage. J. Mater. Chem. A 2020 , 8 , 3822−3833..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-derived Carbon Modification of Polysilazane Composite SiCNO/C as a High-performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

Cross-linked Electrospun Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Fibrous Separator with Surface Modification and Micro-Nano Fibers Lamination Enabling Fast Ion Transport for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Microenvironment Responsive Polymeric Nitric Oxide Releasing Micelles for Enhancing Eradication of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm

Tumor Microenvironment-responsive Self-immolative Polymers for Cancer Imaging and Therapy

Related Author

Yi-Wen Zhang

Jun-Hong Liu

Wen-Ze Xiao

Wen-Han Zang

Wen-Cui Liang

Shi-Jie Ren

Long-Yu Li

Feng Chen

Related Institution

College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University

College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University

Jiangsu Yingyang Nonwoven Machinery Co., LTD., Changshu

Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and Advanced Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University

⁰