As listed in Table 1368, silicon (Si) alloying anodes provide theoretical capacities more than 10 times that of
intercalating anodes. However, during the alloying/de-alloying reactions, there is a volume expansion up to 300% in the Si alloying anodes. Such volume expansion can break up the electrode, resulting in reduced capacity and shorter cycle life of <200 cycles. Nano particle-Si, Si nano-wires, porous Si and Si graphite blends have recently been proposed to minimize the problems that are caused by volume expansion.

Table 1368. Comparison of the properties of some typical anodes.