Recent Advances in Designing High‐Capacity Anode Nanomaterials for Li‐Ion Batteries and Their Atomic‐Scale Storage Mechanism Studies

Abstract

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely applied in portable electronics (laptops, mobile phones, etc.) as one of the most popular energy storage devices. Currently, much effort has been devoted to exploring alternative high‐capacity anode materials and thus potentially constructing high‐performance LIBs with higher energy/power density. Here, high‐capacity anode nanomaterials based on the diverse types of mechanisms, intercalation/deintercalation mechanism, alloying/dealloying reactions, conversion reaction, and Li metal reaction, are reviewed. Moreover, recent studies in atomic‐scale storage mechanism by utilizing advanced microscopic techniques, such as in situ high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and other techniques (e.g., spherical aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, cryoelectron microscopy, and 3D imaging techniques), are highlighted. With the in‐depth understanding on the atomic‐scale ion storage/release mechanisms, more guidance is given to researchers for further design and optimization of anode nanomaterials. Finally, some possible challenges and promising future directions for enhancing LIBs' capacity are provided along with the authors personal viewpoints in this research field.

Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 3D Edge‐Curled Graphene for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…Due to its 2D planar structure and unique electronic behavior, graphene has received extensive attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage, especially in the field of lithium ion batteries . As an anode material for lithium ion batteries, both sides of graphene can serve as a site for storing lithium, thereby providing a theoretical specific capacity of 744 mAh g −1 for graphene in the form of Li 2 C 6 , which is twice that of graphite . However, there is still an obvious gap between the actual performance and theoretical performance of current graphene products.…”

POSS-Derived Synthesis and Full Life Structural Analysis of Si@C as Anode Material in Lithium Ion Battery

“…At present, graphite carbon is used as negative electrode in the commercialized lithium ion battery system. The theoretical capacity of graphite is only 372 mAh g −1 and replacing graphite in the anode with a robust material of high capacity may lead to a battery with higher energy density [5,6,7,8,9]. The theoretical specific capacity of silicon is up to 4200 mAh g −1 , one order of magnitude higher than that of graphite anode material.…”

Nanostructured metal chalcogenides confined in hollow structures for promoting energy storage

“…53,78 One basic reason is that graphite is a single-electron-controlled anode, limiting the improvement of energy density. 79 According to the target set by the US Department of Energy's EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, 250-300 miles per charge for the next generation of electric-driven cars should be realized, placing great pressure on the vehicles' battery packs. 80 Therefore, advanced multiple-electron anode materials with high energy density, rate capacity and cycling stability are called for and in urgent demand.…”