Self-healing is the capability of materials to repair themselves after the damage has occurred, usually through the interaction between molecules or chains. Physical and chemical processes are applied for the preparation of self-healing systems. There are different approaches for these systems, such as heterogeneous systems, shape memory effects, hydrogen bonding or covalent–bond interaction, diffusion, and flow dynamics. Self-healing mechanisms can occur in particular through heat and light exposure or through reconnection without a direct effect. The applications of these systems display an increasing trend in both the R&D and industry sectors. Moreover, self-healing systems and their energy storage applications are currently gaining great importance. This review aims to provide general information on recent developments in self-healing materials and their battery applications given the critical importance of self-healing systems for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the first part of the review, an introduction about self-healing mechanisms and design strategies for self-healing materials is given. Then, selected important healing materials in the literature for the anodes of LIBs are mentioned in the second part. The results and future perspectives are stated in the conclusion section.

Hybrid composites based on inorganic nanomaterials embedded into a polymer matrix have were synthesized and characterized. Oxide semiconductor nanoparticles (SnO, SnO2, TiO2, Ga2O3, and NiO) and Si nanoparticles were employed as inorganic counterparts in the hybrid composite, while a conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) with diverse additives was used as the organic matrix. The composites were spin-coated on Si or glass substrates. The potential use of these materials in photovoltaic devices to improve Si surface passivation behavior was investigated. Besides, the use of the nanoparticles as active materials for anodes in Li-ion batteries was evaluated. Some other aspects, such as the durability and stability of these materials, were also assessed.

Lithium ion batteries which are an energy storage system have increasing attention owing to suitability and advantages for many applications. Although it has ideal specifications, the capacity properties still have to be developed. In this study, the electrical conductivity of the anode was increased by using a conductive polymer binder and the active material content of the anode was also enhanced without adding carbon additives. Silicon based anodes were manufactured by using poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/polythiophenesulfonyl chloride (PEDOT:PTS) conductive polymer binders. Si/PEDOT:PTS anode showed about 2000 mAh/g specific capacities after 60 cycles with decreasing impedance.

The demand for lithium-ion batteries has dramatically increased in the last decade. However, the battery life offered by suppliers does not the level that can adequately meet the needs of end users. The development of new generation materials is so crucial accordingly. The nano-sized silicon with high theoretical capacity as the anode active material is one of the most promising sources, however, there are some problems (volume expansion) need to be solved in the use of silicon. In this study, a new generation polymer binder containing conjugated anthracene units, which gives conductivity and ethylene glycol lateral groups as another segment of the polymer backbone, which allows volumetric expansion with its flexibility has been developed. After preparing an electrode with silicon and developed conductive polymer binder (9:1) without adding any conductive additive, 800 mAh/g specific capacity is acquired after 400th cycle. It is thought that the obtained results will create an important infrastructure for the new generation conductive and flexible polymer binders for LIBs.

Self-healing is the capability of materials to repair themselves after damage has occurred, usually by interaction between molecules or chains. Physical and chemical processes are applied for the preparation of self-healing systems. There are different approaches for these systems such as heterogeneous systems, shape memory effects, hydrogen bonding or covalent-bond interaction, diffusion and flow dynamics. Self-healing mechanisms can occur in particular by heat and light exposure or by reconnection without direct effect. The applications of these systems display an increasing trend in both R&D and industry sectors. Moreover, self-healing systems and their energy storage applications are currently getting great importance. This review aims to provide general information on recent developments in self-healing materials and their energy applications in view of the critical importance of self-healing systems for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the first part of the review, an introduction about self-healing mechanisms and design strategies of self-healing materials is given. Then, selected important healing materials in the literature for the anodes of LIBs are mentioned in the second part. The results and future perspectives are stated in the conclusion section.