Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on a New Polyimide Binder

Silicon is a promising candidate for replacing graphite in anodes for advanced Li-ion batteries due to its high theoretical gravimetric energy density. However, silicon as an active anode material suffers from significant volume changes upon lithiation/delithiation, causing fast capacity fading. The performance of silicon anodes depends on the polymeric binders used, which form well-bound Si particles matrices that accommodate the strains developed during their repeated lithiation, thus maintaining their integrity.