Engineering Nanostructured Silicon and its Practical Applications in Lithium‐Ion Batteries: A Critical Review

Abstract

Silicon is regarded as one of the most important high‐capacity materials and has been added to some commercial anodes to increase the specific energy of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the large volume change of Si during cycling leads to cracking, continuous accumulation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and electric disconnection, posing a major challenge to practical applications. In this review, the latest progress on practical Si anodes and the scalable fabrication technologies, including synthesis of nanostructured Si, Si/C, SiOx composites, and binders is proposed. At last, a perspective of future studies on nano‐Si‐based anodes is suggested and, from a practical viewpoint, the rational design of high‐capacity Si anodes for better LIBs to narrow the gap between nanostructural design and practical applications is discussed.