Silicon nanosheets derived from silicate minerals: controllable synthesis and energy storage application

Silicon plays a crucial part in developing high-performance energy storage materials, owing to a high specific capacity compared to carbon. Moreover, nanoscale silicon is beneficial for reducing the inherent disadvantage of large volume change during repeated lithiation/de-lithiation, while artificial synthesis methods usually involve complex procedures and high costs. On account of the abundant natural reserve and low cost, the manipulation of silicate minerals is a simple and economical approach to prepare silicon nanosheets. In this regard, this mini review introduces different classes of silicate minerals and summarizes some typical molten salt-assisted reduction methods and other valuable methods applied to prepare silicon nanosheets for energy storage. Finally, the challenges and perspectives in this field are also proposed.