Silicon-air batteries: progress, applications and challenges

Silicon-air battery is an emerging energy storage device which possesses high theoretical energy density (8470 Wh kg(-1)). Silicon is the second most abundant material on earth. Besides, the discharge products of silicon-air battery are nontoxic and environment-friendly. Pure silicon, nano-engineered silicon and doped silicon have been found potential candidate for anode. Meso-porous meso-cellular carbon having optimal pore size and imbibed with alpha-MnO2 nanowires catalyst is found the most promising cathode. Several technical, design and corrosion problems associated with Si-air battery system have to be resolved for its mass scale deployment. This review presents comprehensive information on Si-air battery technology. [GRAPHICS] .