Application of Nano Silicon-Carbon Composite Materials in Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineer, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China

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Abstract

With the growing global demand for high-energy-density energy storage technologies, silicon (Si) is gradually replacing graphite anodes to become one of the most competitive materials in the lithium-ion battery (LIB) field. The theoretical capacity of silicon is nearly ten times that of graphite. However, silicon's volume expansion and low intrinsic conductivity become its Achilles' heel. This paper reviews strategies for silicon-carbon nanocomposites aimed at solving these problems. The work focuses on analyzing three popular architectures: amorphous carbon encapsulation, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) scaffolding, and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement. The findings show that amorphous carbon creates a shell that buffers volume changes, but it may lead to cracking under stress. rGO modification improves density and conductivity, and smaller rGO sheets are more effective in terms of ion transport than larger ones. CNTs provide strong conductive networks to prevent electrode damage but cause “dead lithium” accumulation and inefficient silicon penetration. So, only by focusing on hybrid designs and advanced manufacturing techniques, it is possible to make silicon anodes more perfect and meet the demands of the global market.