Fundamental Understanding of Nanostructured Si Electrodes: Preparation and Characterization

The capabilities of lithium-ion batteries have considerably advanced through the utilization of Si anodes because silicon is abundant, features low operating voltage, and has high theoretical capacity. However, unavoidable structural failures caused by large volume changes and sluggish lithium-ion transport pose significant challenges to the technology and hinder its widespread utilization in practical applications. Therefore, various nanostructures for Si anodes with corresponding synthetic methods have been proposed. Considering the unique features of nanostructured Si anodes, analytical techniques for in-situ monitoring during electrochemical reactions have been studied, and many interesting results have been published. Herein, we review a scheme for preparing nanostructured Si and advanced characterization techniques. By elaborating practical approaches, we seek to aid the future design of nanostructured Si anodes by a detailed understanding of previous in-situ measurements.