Figure 2: Characterization of the crosslinked PD-treated Cu.

(a) Schematic for the covalent bonds between the PD-treated CU(X) -> Cu and the PAA binder in the Si composite electrode. (b) FTIR spectra of a PAA film coated onto bare Cu, a PAA film coated onto PD-treated Cu without thermal treatment, and a PPA film coated onto PD-treated Cu with thermal treatment (stored in a vacuum oven at 80 °C overnight).