Energy Storage: Functionalization of Silicon Nanostructures for Energy‐Related Applications (Small 45/2017)

Recent solar cell and Li–ion battery applications using Si-related nanostructures are reviewed, in article number 1701713, by Naoki Fukata and co-workers. A discussion of the enhanced light trapping effect, and decreased carrier recombination rate of silicon nanostructures due to the short carrier collection path achieved by radially constructed p–n junctions in Si nanowires, is provided. Silicon-related nanocomposite structures show a higher capacity than commercially available lithium–ion battery anodes and more stable cyclic properties than pure Si materials.