Silicon has the highest theoretical capacity(4200 mAh ·g^-1) when used as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. But the severe volume change(> 300%) during Li⁺insertion/extraction processes results in the structural destruction, which further leads to the loss of electrical contact between active materials themselves or active materials and the current collectors. Moreover, the new solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) continually forms on the surface of silicon. All of these problems cause capacity attenuation as well as the poor cycling and rate performance for silicon-based anode materials. In this review, the lithium-storage and capacity fading mechanisms of silicon-based materials for lithium-ion batteries are summarized. To overcome the severe volume change during charge/discharge, selection and structure design of silicon material are introduced. Synthetic routes, electrochemical performance and possible mechanisms of typical silicon-based composite materials, especially various silicon/carbon composite materials, are discussed. An overview of several novel fabrication techniques of the electrodes for improving the electrochemical performance of silicon-based anode materials and their possible mechanisms are given. Challenges and perspectives of silicon-based anode materials are also proposed and discussed.

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Lithium-storage and capacity fading mechanisms
3 Selection and structure design of silicon material
3.1 Amorphous silicon and silicon oxide
3.2 Low-dimensional silicon materials
3.3 Porous and hollow silicon materials
4 Fabrication of silicon-based composites
4.1 Silicon/metal composites
4.2 Silicon/carbon composites
4.3 Other silicon-based materials
5 Optimizing the preparation process of electrodes
5.1 Treatments of electrodes
5.2 Selection of current collectors
5.3 Choices of binders
5.4 Options of electrolyte
6 Conclusion and outlook