Engineering of Siloxanes for Stabilizing Silicon Anode Materials

Silicon (Si) is considered the most promising anode material for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical specific capacity and abundant reserves. However, the volume expansion of silicon in the cycling process causes the destruction of the electrode structure and irreversible capacity loss. As a result, the commercial application of silicon materials is greatly hindered. In recent years, siloxane-based organosilicon materials have been widely used in silicon anode of LIBs because of their unique structure and physical and chemical properties, and have shown excellent electrochemical properties. The comprehensive achievement of siloxanes in silicon-based LIBs can be understood better through a systematic summary, which is necessary to guide the design of electrodes and achieve better electrochemical performance. This paper systematically introduces the unique advantages of siloxane materials in electrode, surface/interface modification, binder, and electrolyte. The challenges and future directions for siloxane materials are presented to enhance their performance and expand their application in silicon-based LIBs. This review systematically introduces the important research progress of siloxanes in silicon-based anode in these areas including silicon sources, surface modification, binder, and electrolyte additives, along with the strategies and mechanisms of these processes. In addition, current challenges and possible strategies of siloxanes are discussed from the viewpoint of material design and performance.image