Silicon (Si) is an important anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), and increasing the loading of Si electrodes is an important step towards commercialization. However, half cells commonly used...

Of ever growing interest in the fields of physical chemistry and materials science, silicon nanoparticles show a great deal of potential. Methods for their synthesis are, however, often hazardous, expensive or otherwise impractical. In the literature, there is a safe, fast and cheap inverse micelle-based method for the production of alkyl-functionalized blue luminescent silicon nanoparticles, which nonetheless found limitations, due to undesirable Si-alkoxy and remaining Si-H functionalization. In the following work, these problems are addressed, whereby an optimisation of the reaction mechanism encourages more desirable capping, and the introduction of alcohol is replaced by the use of anhydrous copper (II) chloride. The resulting particles, when compared with their predecessors through a myriad of spectroscopic techniques, are shown to have greatly reduced levels of 'undesirable' capping, with a much lower surface oxide level; whilst also maintaining long-term air stability, strong photoluminescence and high yields.

Lithium (Li) metal anode has been considered as the most promising anode for rechargeable batteries with high energy density owing to its extraordinarily high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mAh g −1) and the lowest negative electrochemical potential (-3.040 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode). However, the practical applications of the Li metal anode are hampered by several obstacles, such as irrepressible dendritic Li growth and limited Coulombic efficiency (CE) during Li plating/stripping. To improve the application scope of Li metal batteries, it is imperative to develop advanced strategies to figure out these issues. In this Review, we first clarify the fundamental factors that affect the dendrite growth and CE of the Li metal anode. Subsequently, based on the previous theoretical understanding and analysis, recently proposed strategies to suppress dendrite growth and accommodating volume change have been reviewed. In addition, advanced characterization techniques for Li metal anode are included. Finally, a general conclusion and a perspective for the coming development of Li metal anode in practical applications are provided.