Enhancement Strategies for Si/C Electrodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

The escalating dependence on energy within contemporary society while facing the limitations of traditional fossil fuels has spurred the advancement of energy storage technologies, with particular emphasis on lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Si/C composite anodes have emerged as a viable alternative to graphite anodes, primarily owing to their superior specific capacity and improved cycling performance. However, Si anodes face the challenge of volume expansion during charge/discharge cycling, which leads to capacity degradation and limits their practical application in LIBs. Recent research has focused on addressing these issues through various strategies aimed at optimizing the structural stability and enhancing the electrochemical performance of Si/C composites. The explored key methodologies include the implementation of double carbon shells, the optimization of porosity, and innovative microelectronic printing techniques. These approaches have demonstrated significant improvements in the cycle life and energy retention of the batteries, positioning Si/C composites as a promising solution for next-generation high-performance energy storage systems.