A review of existing and emerging binders for silicon anodic Li-ion batteries

Silicon anodes have been extensively studied as a potential alternative to graphite ones for Li-ion batteries. However, their commercial application is limited by the issues of the poor structural and interfacial stability. In this regard, one of the key strategies for fully exploiting the capacity potential of Si-based anodes is to design robust conductive binder networks. Although the amount of binder in the electrode is small, it is, however, considered as a critical component of Si-based anodes for Li-ion batteries. In this review, a brief summary is given from the structural and functional aspects of the existing binders for Si anodes. In particular, three-dimensional and multifunctional polymeric binders with excellent electrical conductivity, flexibility, and adhesion prepared by chemical bonding, electrostatic and coordination interactions have become the focus of research, and are expected to accelerate the practical application of silicon anodes. Lastly, some suggestions for the future development of Si anodic binders are put forward.