Confronting Issues of the Practical Implementation of Si Anode in High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries

Over 20 years, Si has been investigated as a promising alternative to conventional graphite because of its high specific capacity and proper working voltage. As numerous strategies have demonstrated their improved electrochemical properties by addressing the intrinsic challenges of Si anode, the practical investigation with a full cell has been regarded as an important task to verify their feasibilities. In this Perspective, we discuss key issues in the practical implementation of the Si anode in the high-energy full cell. With the target of improvement in the volumetric energy density, the comprehensive overview of an electrochemical cell design for Si anodes is presented with its influence on electrochemical properties. Moreover, we highlight the electrode swelling issues and the capacity fading of the Si anode, which is pronounced in the full cell rather than in the half cell. Finally, we offer insights regarding the potential future directions in the development of the Si anode for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.