Progress in the Preparation of Silicon/Carbon Composites for Use as Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

• • Silicon anodes exhibit a theoretical capacity of 4200 mAh g−1, which is more than 11 times higher than graphite's 372 mAh g−1, yet their practical application is limited by severe volume expansion and low conductivity; Si/C composites address these issues by integrating carbon matrices. • • Ball milling, spray drying, electrostatic spinning, and CVD are the primary preparation methods for Si/C composites; each offers distinct advantages in controlling particle size, morphology, and carbon coating uniformity, directly impacting electrochemical performance. • • Carbon precursor coating and silicon surface modification are effective structural engineering strategies that improve electrical conductivity and buffer volume changes, leading to enhanced cycling stability and rate capability. • • Recent studies report Si/C composite anodes with specific capacities exceeding 1000 mAh g−1 and stable cycling over hundreds of cycles, demonstrating the potential for high-energy-density LIBs; however, scalable production and cost reduction remain critical challenges for commercialization.