From electrochemical performance to mechanical Issues: A review on silicon anode architectures for advanced lithium-ion batteries

The increasing demand for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in electronics and electric vehicles has spurred significant research into silicon anodes. This article reviews key structural variants - nanostructured, micron-scale, and three-dimensional (3D) silicon anodes - highlighting their advantages, challenges, and solutions. While nanostructured silicon offers high specific capacity and stability, it suffers from low conductivity, significant volume expansion, and poor cycling life. To address these, strategies such as nanostructural Si designs, introducing conductive/buffering agents (e.g., graphene, MXene), and polymeric binders are discussed. Micron-scale silicon partially alleviates expansion due to its larger size, but still faces challenges in conductivity and cycling stability; morphological optimization strategies are explored. Conversely, 3D structured silicon demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance from its unique architecture, though conductivity and volume expansion remain issues. The review covers state-of-the-art methods, including the above approaches and functional additives, to achieve stable cycling. Finally, future development pathways such as novel structural designs, material innovation, and application prospects are considered, indicating silicon’s potential as a robust anode material for future lithium-ion batteries.