Mechanical Blending Improves Silicon-Based Anode Performance in Solid-State Batteries

Silicon-based anodes show great potential in solid-state batteries due to their high theoretical density, low cost, and resistance to lithium dendrite formation. However, the severe interfacial degradation caused by the large volume expansion of silicon remains a critical challenge. To address these interfacial problems, this study innovatively employs mechanical blending to rapidly achieve solid-phase coating, encapsulating nanosilicon particles on the surface of sulfide electrolytes. The reliability of this coating method was verified through SEM and TEM characterization. The coated silicon anode demonstrated stable operation under ultralow stack pressure and showed significantly enhanced rate capability and long-term cycling performance. These improvements were attributed to the enlarged interfacial contact area, the formation of a more robust electrode structure, and the creation of fast ion/electron transport pathways. The proposed mechanical blending strategy significantly improves the efficiency of solid-state coating and facilitates the practical application of silicon-based anodes in ASSBs.