Recent Advances in Silicon/Carbon Composite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Material, Structure, and Interfacial Stability

As the global energy transition creates an increasingly pressing need for lithium-ion batteries, silicon/carbon composite anodes have garnered substantial attention owing to their ultrahigh specific capacity. However, their commercial application is severely hindered by critical issues, including particle pulverization, electrode delamination, and broken and thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, all arising from the severe volume expansion during cycling. Rational design of the anode structure, electrode interface, and electrolyte composition has proven effective in mitigating these challenges and enhancing battery performance. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in silicon/carbon composite anodes for lithium-ion batteries, with strategies categorized into three main areas, structural design, electrode interface design, and electrolyte regulation. Structural design encompasses core–shell, yolk–shell, and embedding structures. Electrode interface design includes functional coatings and novel binders. Electrolyte regulation involves tailoring lithium salts, solvents, and additives. The existing challenges and design requirements for silicon/carbon composite anodes are first discussed, followed by a detailed examination of improvement strategies aimed at alleviating volume expansion and stabilizing the SEI film. This review aims to provide guidance for related work and to stimulate further research in the field of silicon/carbon composite anodes for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.