SILICON-CARBON (SI/C) BATTERIES

The growing demand for high-performance batteries in smartphones, electric vehicles, and portable electronics has spurred innovation in battery technology. Silicon-carbon (Si/C) batteries have emerged as a promising solution, offering higher energy density and improved performance compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. By incorporating silicon into the battery's anode, Si/C batteries overcome the limitations of conventional graphite-based anodes, resulting in longer battery life and faster charging. Let's explore what Si/C batteries are, how they work, and their role in powering modern smartphones.

- Words By: Shintu Dhang

WHAT ARE SILICON-CARBON BATTERIES?

Silicon-carbon batteries are a cutting-edge type of lithium-ion battery that utilizes a combination of silicon and carbon (usually graphite) as the anode material. Traditional lithium-ion batteries use graphite anodes, which store lithium ions during charging and release them during discharge. However, graphite has a limited capacity for lithium storage, which restricts the energy density of these batteries. In contrast, silicon can store up to ten times more lithium ions per unit mass than graphite, with a theoretical capacity of around 4,200 mAh/g compared to graphite's 372 mAh/g.