Co-Inlaid Carbon-Encapsulated SiO Anodes via a Self-Assembly Strategy for Highly Stable Lithium Storage.

SiO is a promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, with high energy density and low cost. However, several issues, such as poor cycling stability, should be overcome before practical application. Here, gum arabic, a well-known natural gum with low cost, is used as a carbon source to form a uniform Co-inlaid carbon coating on SiO by a facile and scalable self-assembly method using Co as a "bridge", during which Co plays a key role.