Consideration of the possibility of large-scale plasma-chemical production of nanosilicon for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The object of research is the process of obtaining silicon nanomaterials for lithium-ion batteries of energy storage devices, and the subject of research is the technology of gas-phase plasma-chemical synthesis for the production of Si-nanoparticles. In the course of the study, numerical simulation methods were used, which made it possible to determine the parameters of temperature fields, velocities and concentrations. To study the processes of synthesis of nanopowders, a plasma reactor with an electric arc plasma torch of a linear scheme and using an argon-hydrogen mixture as a plasma-forming gas was developed. To analyze the influence of an external magnetic field on the control of the plasma jet parameters, a series of experiments was carried out using an electric arc plasma torch on plasma laboratory facilities with a power of 30 and 150 kW. The influence of a magnetic field on the process of formation and evaporation of a gas-powder flow in a plasma jet was studied by determining the configuration, geometric dimensions, and structure of the initial section of the jet. In this case, the dispersed material – silicon powder was fed to the plasma torch nozzle section according to the radial scheme. Experimental confirmation of the phenomenon of elongation of the high-temperature initial section of the plasma jet in a longitudinal magnetic field has been obtained. The experimental results indicate that the creation of a peripheral gas curtain significantly changes the characteristics of heat and mass transfer in the reactor. It should be expected that for optimization it is possible to exclude the deposition of nanosilicon particles on the walls of the reactor and provide conditions for continuous operation. The effect of two-phase flow, heat transfer, and mass flow of nanoparticles, including the surface of a plasma reactor with limited jet flow, in the processes of obtaining silicon nanopowders has been studied. This made it possible to correct a number of technological characteristics of the process of constructive design of the actions of plasma synthesis of nanopowders. The patterns obtained can be used for constructive and technological design in the creation and development of a pilot plant for high-performance production of nanosilicon powders.