Search for New Anode Materials for High Performance Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Owing to an unmatched combination of power and energy density along with cyclic stability, the Li-ion battery has qualified itself to be the highest performing rechargeable battery. Taking both transportable and stationary energy storage requirements into consideration, Li-ion batteries indeed stand tall in comparison to any other existing rechargeable battery technologies. However, graphite, which is still one of the best performing Li-ion anodes, has specific drawbacks in fulfilling the ever-increasing energy and power density requirements of the modern world. Therefore, further research on alternative anode materials is absolutely essential. Equally important is the search for and enhanced use of right earth abundant materials for battery electrodes so as to bring down the costs of the battery systems. In this spotlight article, we discuss the current research progress in the area of alternative anode materials for Li-ion battery, putting our own research work over the past several years into perspective. Starting from conversion anode systems like oxides and sulfides, to insertion cum alloying systems like transition metal carbides, to molecularly engineered open framework systems like metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs), this spotlight provides a complete essence of the recent developments in the area of alternative anodes. The possible and potential impact of these new anode materials is detailed and discussed here.

Intercalation pseudocapacitance in 2D N-doped V2O3 nanosheets for stable and ultrafast lithium-ion storage

“…11,12 To this end, numerous anode materials have been developed including metal oxides, alloys, and their composites. [12][13][14] However, the majority of them suffer from volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process, which gradually leads to stress accumulation and then crushing. 15 Consequently, it is of great significance to develop high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries.…”

Enhancing the electrochemical performance of a micron-sized Ge anode through in situ surface composite flower-like Zn2GeO4 for Li-ion batteries

“…3 In recent years, most studies have been focused on searching for novel anode materials with an aim to replace graphite. [4][5][6] Group IV elements (Si, Ge, and Sn), due to their high theoretical specic capacity, have attracted much attention. [7][8][9] In particular, Ge has received a lot of attention because of its high theoretical specic capacity of 1600 mA h g À1 , fast Li + diffusivity (400 times greater than Si), and excellent electric conductivity (100 times higher than Si).…”

“…3 In recent years, most studies have been focused on searching for novel anode materials with an aim to replace graphite. 4–6…”

Cactus-like iron oxide/carbon porous microspheres lodged in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as anodic electrode materials of lithium ion batteries

“…10 The search for suitable Fe-based oxides as anode materials in LIBs to replace graphite requires a strategic material structure design, which still relies on finding an appropriate morphology that can fulfill the following criteria: (a) fast Li + transport; (b) sufficient space for potential volume expansion; (c) mechanical robustness and (d) a high surface-to-volume ratio. 11,12 In previous research studies, two main kinds of strategies have often been considered to tailor the structure and morphology of iron oxides. One effective approach is to integrate a carbonaceous matrix into iron oxide active materials to form hybrid nanostructures, which can increase the electrical conductivity and alleviate the aggregation of active nanoparticulates.…”

“…10 The search for suitable Fe-based oxides as anode materials in LIBs to replace graphite requires a strategic material structure design, which still relies on finding an appropriate morphology that can fulfill the following criteria: (a) fast Li + transport; (b) sufficient space for potential volume expansion; (c) mechanical robustness and (d) a high surface-to-volume ratio. 11,12…”