Alloying-type anode materials for use in Li-ion batteries may offer higher gravimetric and volumetric capacities compared to intercalation-type anodes in certain applications. For example, silicon (Si) offers approximately 10 times higher gravimetric capacity and approximately 3 times higher volumetric capacity compared to an intercalation-type graphite (or graphite-like) anode. However, in certain applications, Si may suffer from significant volume expansion during Li insertion (e.g., up to approximately 300 vol. %) and thus may induce thickness changes and mechanical failure of Si-comprising anodes. In addition, in certain applications, Si (and some Li—Si alloy compounds that may form during lithiation of Si) may suffer from relatively low electrical conductivity and relatively low ionic (Li-ion) conductivity. Electric and ionic conductivity of Si is lower than that of graphite. In some embodiments, formation of (nano)composite Si-comprising particles (including, but not limited to Si—C composites, Si-metal composites, Si-polymer composites, Si-ceramic composites, or other types of porous composites comprising nanostructured Si or nanostructured or nano-sized Si particles of various shapes and forms) may reduce volume changes during Li-ion insertion and extraction, which, in turn, may lead to better cycle stability in rechargeable Li-ion cells.

In addition to Si-comprising nanocomposite anodes, other examples of such nanocomposite anodes comprising alloying-type active materials include, but are not limited to, those that comprise germanium, antimony, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, gallium, arsenic, phosphorous, silver, cadmium, indium, tin, lead, bismuth, their alloys, and others.