Recent Advances in Ball-Milling-Based Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Having a high theoretical capacity density of 4200 mAh g−1, silicon has been highlighted as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Countless silicon-based materials have been proposed and reported in research articles, mostly synthesized using bottom-up methods. While the infamous volume expansion issue can be settled with the bottom-up processes, the complicated protocols and high cost leave a non-neglectable gap between laboratory-scale and mass production. The top-down ball-milling method is still favored by industrial suppliers because of its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, even with compromised electrochemical performances. This paper reviews the latest development of ball-milling-based silicon anode materials. Although the ball-milling process seems straightforward, the procedures and parameters influencing the product have hardly been discussed in research papers compared to the bottom-up ones. This paper reviews recent advances in ball-milling-based silicon anode materials, provides a material comparison, and discusses how ball milling can provide lithium-ion batteries with greater possibilities at a larger scale.