Self-selective silver modification of SiO anodes: a conductivity-boosting strategy for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Silicon-based anode materials are highly promising for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their superior theoretical capacity. However, their practical implementation is hindered by challenges such as high-volume expansion and low electrical conductivity, leading to rapid capacity degradation. In this study, we synthesized a SiO–Ag composite via a self-selective electroless deposition method to address these limitations. The incorporation of Ag nanoparticles significantly enhanced electrical conductivity and mitigated volume expansion, resulting in improved electrochemical performance. Structural analysis confirmed silver nano clusters distributed on SiO, facilitating efficient lithium-ion transport and charge transfer. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrated an initial coulombic efficiency of 60.9%, higher than that of pristine SiO (47.8%), along with superior cycling stability over 1000 cycles at 1C with capacity retention of 75% and enhanced rate performance. The reduced charge-transfer resistance, verified through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, further highlights the beneficial role of Ag modification. These findings provide a viable strategy for optimizing Si-based anodes, paving the way for high-performance and durable LIBs.