Approaching industry-adaptable silicon-based anodes via fundamental mechanism understanding

Silicon-based materials have garnered considerable attention for their application in high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries, attributed to their high theoretical capacity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. However, despite numerous modification strategies proposed by researchers to address fundamental scientific issues such as volume expansion and solid electrolyte interface instability, achieving widespread industrial-scale application of silicon-based materials remains a significant challenge due to limitations in specific capacity, coulombic efficiency, safety, and calendar life. This review offers a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the reaction mechanism of silicon-based materials throughout charge and discharge cycles, clarifying the roots of fundamental scientific challenges and practical obstacles. Additionally, the current research progress and proposed insights for future developments are summarized. Overall, a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of silicon-based materials can contribute to optimizing microstructures and developing silicon materials with superior electrochemical performance, and further effectively advancing the industrialization of silicon-based materials.