The use of Si/nitrogen-doped carbon composites is an effective means to improve the performance of silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but the large-scale development of such materials is restricted by their high cost and challenging processes. Tofu, a low-cost food rich in protein, can be used as a natural source of carbon and nitrogen. In addition, it has a developed pore structure. Herein, we report for the first time the ingenious application of the traditional tofu manufacturing technology in the field of silicon materials and the fabrication of unprecedented “silicon tofu.” After simple carbonization, the intertwined protein in silicon tofu is transformed into a natural amorphous carbon conductive network doped with nitrogen atoms, which can effectively maintain the integrity of the electrode structure during the cycle process. Because of the synergistic effect of the natural porous structure and nitrogen doping, the optimized Si@natural nitrogen-doped biomass carbon composite can maintain a reversible capacity of a 731.6 mA h g^–1 after 300 cycles, even at a high current density of 1 A g^–1. Moreover, the overall preparation process is environmentally friendly and sustainable. This research provides a simple, clean, and scalable solution for green and efficient anode materials for LIBs.

中文翻译：

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源自“硅豆腐”的硅@天然掺氮生物质碳复合材料作为锂离子电池的绿色高效负极材料

使用Si/氮掺杂碳复合材料是提高锂离子电池（LIBs）硅负极材料性能的有效手段，但此类材料的大规模开发受到其高成本和挑战性工艺的限制。豆腐是一种富含蛋白质的低成本食品，可作为碳和氮的天然来源。此外，它具有发达的孔隙结构。在此，我们首次报道了传统豆腐制造技术在硅材料领域的巧妙应用，以及前所未有的“硅豆腐”的制作。经过简单的碳化，将硅豆腐中交织的蛋白质转化为掺杂有氮原子的天然无定形碳导电网络，在循环过程中可以有效保持电极结构的完整性。由于天然多孔结构和氮掺杂的协同作用，优化的Si@天然氮掺杂生物质碳复合材料可以保持731.6 mA hg的可逆容量^–1 300 次循环后，即使在 1 A g ^–1的高电流密度下。此外，整个制备过程是环保和可持续的。这项研究为 LIB 的绿色高效负极材料提供了一种简单、清洁和可扩展的解决方案。