Intermolecular chemistry for designing functional binders in silicon/carbon composite anodes

Silicon/carbon composite anode that combines high capacity and cycling stability has been successfully commercialized in lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry. Compared with the massive efforts devoted to optimizing the anode material structure or the electrolyte, less attention has been paid to the development of functional binders and their interaction with silicon/carbon material. As an essential component in the electrode, binders are expected to accommodate the repeated volume change of Si/C anode and maintain the electrode integrity as well as construct efficient electron/ion conductive network. In this review, recent advances in the functional polymers for silicon/carbon composite anode have been summarized from the perspective of intermolecular chemistry. The relationships between representative structure units (i.e. functional groups and chain structures) and performance of binders in Si/C anodes are discussed and we hope provide a fundamental perspective on performance optimization of Si/C anodes.