Practical silicon-based composite anodes for lithium-ion batteries: Fundamental and technological features

Despite recent worldwide research efforts, composite silicon-based anodes remain at the centre of debate in the field of lithium-ion batteries. Here, we demonstrated that successful development of composite silicon-based anodes requires the simultaneous consideration of two equally important features: fundamental and technological. The fundamental feature dictates that the in situ formed amorphous phase should remain in its amorphous state in order to achieve a long-lasting reversible electrode, while the technological feature implies that the complex active material–binder interactions have to be numerically evaluated in order to tailor the electrode properties in an appropriate way. Only the harmonic consideration of both aspects allows creation of a long-lasting reversible silicon electrode. Examples demonstrating these features are considered and lithium-ion batteries employing hybrid silicon-based electrodes are proposed.