Nano Structure Silicon Anode Materials: Progress, Challenge and Application

Silicon anodes are considered to have promising electrochemical properties. During repeated lithiation and delithiation processes, silicon may have significant volume expansion. This expansion is generally believed to cause mechanical degradation of the electrode. Degradation has been associated with accelerated capacity fading. It might be the limitation of the practical application. This paper is to review and three representative silicon nanostructures, including silicon nanoparticles, silicon nanowires, and porous or networked silicon structure. Their usage as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were compared. Their potential applications are discussed. Their respective properties are examined based on existing literature. This review is to clarify how different silicon nanostructures may influence mechanical stability, cycling performance, and material scalability. Through comparison of previously reported studies, it can be found that each type of nanostructured silicon has certain advantages. These structures may also introduce new technical challenges that have yet to be fully resolved. Silicon is often regarded as an anode material with exceptional electrochemical performance. And optimization of its structural design and synthesis strategies is still considered necessary. Optimization may play an important role in improving the long-term stability and practical feasibility of silicon-based anodes.