The battery community has paid significant attention to
silicon (Si) as a lithium ion battery (LIB) anode material
on account of its exceptional theoretical gravimetric capacity
(∼4200 mAh g−1), that is approximately 10 times larger than
that of the conventional graphite (∼370 mAh g−1).1−4 High
gravimetric capacity of Si is expected to fulfill an important role
in bringing many of the key LIB applications5−7 to a reality.
Good examples along this direction are advanced portable
electronic devices requiring high power consumption and
electrical vehicles with longer driving distance per each charge