Silicon nanoparticles obtained via a low temperature chemical “metathesis” synthesis route and their lithium-ion battery properties.

Silicon (Si) nanoparticles have been prepared by a “metathesis” reaction of magnesium silicide (Mg₂Si) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) in an autoclave at 300 °C. The as-prepared Si nanoparticles exhibit a reversible capacity of 795 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 3.6 A g⁻¹ over 250 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]