Fig. 4: Mechanical stability enabled by the sieving-pore structure.

a Schematic illustration of a-Li_xSi formation enabled by an inorganic-rich SEI and c-Li₁₅Si₄ formation enabled by an organic-rich SEI. b SAXS tests of SSC before and after lithiation. c Differential capacity plots of SC and SSC negative electrodes during the first delithiation cycle in the voltage range of 0.2–0.6 V at a specific current of 0.075 A g⁻¹ at ambient temperature. d XRD patterns of SC and SSC negative electrodes in the fully lithiated state. e Finite element simulations of Von Mises stress distribution in SC and SSC negative electrodes at DOD of 50% and 100%. f Performance comparison between SSC negative electrodes and other commercial negative electrodes. The capacity/swelling ratio is defined as the ratio of the first reversible specific capacity of the negative electrodes to the electrode swelling rate at full lithiation (refer to Supplementary Table 4). g In situ electrode swelling behavior and voltage profiles of SSC negative electrodes in a cell during cycling. The rest time is ignored. h Cross-sectional SEM images and corresponding EDS mapping of SSC negative electrodes at full lithiation state.