SILICON ANODES HAVING ENHANCED ELECTRONIC CONDUCTIVITY AND SPECIFIC CAPACITY

A metal-coated silicon anode, and a method of improving silicon based anodes. A silicone anode, such as including a plurality of silicon and/or silicon oxide particles, is placed in an electrochemical cell having an opposing cathode, an electrolyte, and a power source connected to the silicon anode and the cathode. A metallic salt is added to the electrolyte to form metal ions. Upon delivering an electric current to the anode, a layer of metal is electrochemically deposited on surface of the silicon particles in the anode. The metal ions are reduced to a metal layer on the surface of the silicon particles in the anode. The metal coating enhances electronic conductivity and/or specific capacity of the Si-based anode.