Latest development of nanostructured Si/C materials for lithium anode studies and applications

Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries have been extensively explored due to their high capacity, moderate operation potential, environmental friendliness, and high abundance. However, silicon's application as anodes is hindered by its poor capacity retention caused by the large volume change during lithium insertion and desertion process, its intrinsic low conductivity and the formation of unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) films. Recently, influential improvements have been achieved using different design methods with the purpose of increasing cycle life and increasing charging rate performance. Here, we review such design methods including the rational design of nanostructured silicon, the combination of silicon with different carbonaceous materials including traditional carbons and the utilization of nanocarbons (such as carbon nanotube, graphene and corresponding three dimensional architectures). Meanwhile, we draw the essential reason accounting for the excellent electrochemical performance of those structures. Furthermore, we selectively depict the effects of binder, conductive additives and electrolyte composition, which also play important roles in silicon based battery performance.