Critical roles of binders and formulation at multiscales of silicon-based composite electrodes

In this review we try to shed a comprehensive understanding on the influence of the different parameters of the formulation of silicon-based composite electrode on its cyclability, i.e. the binder, the conductive additives, the current collector, the electrode porosity and solid loading, in view of a more rational assessment of the relevancy of these parameters for the battery technology. The reasons of the better efficiency of carboxymethyl cellulose and alternative new binders than PVdF are first addressed into details. The critical effects of the active mass loading and porosity on the cyclability are highlighted. Then the influence of the conductive additive type and current collector texture are discussed. Putting everything together shows that it is required to meticulously optimize all the different scales of the composite electrode to hopefully raise the performance of silicon-based electrode above that of graphite commercial ones.