Boosting initial coulombic efficiency of Si-based anodes: a review

Silicon-based composites are intensively pursued as one of the most promising anode materials for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their ultrahigh theoretical capacity. However, the extended application of Si-based anode is still retarded by challenge of the poor initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), which will lead to the irreversible capacity loss of the full cell in the first cycle. In recent years, significant achievements have been dedicated to reducing irreversible lithium ion consumption to realize high ICE values. In this review, we summarize the main influence factors of ICE, including electrical conductivity, structural stability, and specific surface area. The major focus of this review is to present the recent progress in rational structural design and scalable prelithiation techniques to boosting the ICE, which is of great significance to promoting the practical applications of silicon-based anodes.