Nanostructure Engineering of Silicon-Based Anodes for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries: Strategies, Performance, and Practical Challenges

Because its theoretical capacity is significantly higher than that of traditional graphite, silicon is a desirable anode material for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. However, severe volume change, particle fracture, repeated disruption of the solid-electrolyte interphase, low electrical conductivity, and significant irreversible lithium loss limit its practical application. This paper investigates how nanostructure engineering and associated interface strategies address these coupled mechanical and electrochemical constraints. Stress accommodation, transport behavior, interfacial stability, and electrode packing are compared between low-dimensional silicon, porous and hollow particles, and core-shell or yolk-shell architectures. The complementary methods of surface coatings, artificial interphases, silicon/carbon composites, binder and electrolyte design, and prelithiation are then evaluated. Although areal loading, tap density, volumetric energy density, manufacturing yield, and compatibility with current electrode-processing techniques also affect practical performance, representative studies show that nanoscale control can significantly improve cycling stability, Coulombic efficiency, and rate capability. The analysis suggests that a multiscale design incorporating controlled internal void space, stable interfaces, conductive carbon networks, and manufacturable secondary particles is more promising than relying on a single nanostructure. First-cycle lithium loss, electrode swelling, process complexity, and scale-up are the remaining issues.