Bulk-nanoporous-silicon negative electrode with extremely high cyclability for lithium-ion batteries prepared using a top-down process.

We synthesized freestanding bulk three-dimensional nanoporous Si using dealloying in a metallic melt, a top-down process. Using this nanoporous Si, we fabricated negative electrodes with high lithium capacity, nearing their theoretical limits, and greatly extended cycle lifetimes, considerably improving the battery performance compared with those using electrodes made from silicon nanoparticles. By operating the electrodes below the accommodation volume limit of their pores, we prolonged their cycle lifetime.