Graphite and nano-silicon-based negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries with low binder content were evaluated. The effectiveness of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and various types of cellulose containing electrodes were compared to standard electrodes containing PVdF as binder. The cycling performance of lithium-based half cells in EC:DMC (1:1), 1 M LiPF6 shows that styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), or both combined have a similar bonding ability as conventional poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF). However, using Na-CMC the irreversible charge capacity in the first cycle decreased in comparison with electrodes containing PVdF binder. Nano-Si electrode containing 1% SBR/1% Na-CMC as binder show the same cycle stability as an identical electrode containing 10% PVdF binder. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.