A support bandage for electrodes: A cross-linked polymeric binder (see picture, red) inhibits mechanical fracture of silicon negative electrodes during cycling. Nanosized silicon powder with a 3D interconnected network of poly(acrylic acid) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as binder exhibits high reversible capacity of over 2000 mAh g -1 after 100 cycles at 30 °C while maintaining a high capacity and high current density.