Li-air(O2) and Li-S batteries have gained much attention recently and most relevant research has aimed to improve the electrochemical performance of air(O2) or sulfur cathode materials. However, many technical problems associated with the Li metal anode have yet to be overcome. This review mainly focuses on the electrochemical behaviors and technical issues related to metallic Li anode materials as well as other metallic anode materials such as alkali (Na) and alkaline earth (Mg) metals, including Zn and Al when these metal anodes were employed for various types of secondary batteries.

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SiO 2 is one of the most abundant materials on Earth. It is costeffective and also environmentally benign when used as an energy material. Although SiO 2 was inactive to Li, it was engineered to react directly by a simple process. It exhibited a strong potential as a promising anode for Li-ion batteries.

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A new approach for enhancing the electrochemical performance of carbon felt electrodes by employing non-precious metal oxides is designed. The outstanding electro-catalytic activity and mechanical stability of Mn(3)O(4) are advantageous in facilitating the redox reaction of vanadium ions, leading to efficient operation of a vanadium redox flow battery.

A practical route is introduced for synthesizing a sulfur-impregnated graphene composite as a promising cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries. Sulfur particles with a size of a few microns are successfully grown in the interior spaces between randomly dispersed graphene sheets through a heterogeneous crystal growth mechanism. The proposed route not only enables the control of the particle size of active sulfur but also affords quantitative yields of composite powder in large quantities. We investigate the potential use of the sulfur-impregnated graphene composite as a cathode material owing to its advantages of confining active sulfur, preventing the dissolution of soluble polysulfides, and providing sufficient electrical conduction. A high discharge capacity of 1237 mA h g(-1) during the first cycle and a good cyclic retention of 67% after 50 cycles are attained in a voltage range of 1.8-2.6 V vs. Li/Li(+). These results emphasize the importance of tailoring cathode materials for improving the electrochemical properties of lithium-sulfur batteries. Our results provide a basis for further investigations on advanced lithium batteries.

A core-shell structured Si nanoparticles@TiO2-x/C mesoporous microfiber composite has been synthesized by an electrospinning method. The core-shell composite exhibits high reversible capacity, excellent rate capability, and improved cycle performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. Furthermore, it shows remarkable suppression of exothermic behavior, which can prevent possible thermal runaway and safety problems of the cells. The improved electrochemical and thermal properties are ascribed to the mechanically, electrically, and thermally robust shell structure of the TiO2-x/C nanocomposite encapsulating the Si nanoparticles, which is suggested as a promising material architecture for a safe and reliable Si-based Li-ion battery of high energy density.