Abstract
This review highlights the recent research advances in active nanostructured anode materials for the next generation of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In fact, in order to address both energy and power demands of secondary LIBs for future energy storage applications, it is required the development of innovative kinds of electrodes. Nanostructured materials based on carbon, metal/semiconductor, metal oxides and metal phosphides/nitrides/sulfides show a variety of admirable properties for LIBs applications such as high surface area, low diffusion distance, high electrical and ionic conductivity. Therefore, nanosized active materials are extremely promising for bridging the gap towards the realization of the next generation of LIBs with high reversible capacities, increased power capability, long cycling stability and free from safety concerns. In this review, anode materials are classified, depending on their electrochemical reaction with lithium, into three groups: intercalation/de-intercalation, alloy/de-alloy and conversion materials. Furthermore, the effect of nanoscale size and morphology on the electrochemical performance is presented. Synthesis of the nanostructures, lithium battery performance and electrode reaction mechanisms are also discussed. To conclude, the main aim of this review is to provide an organic outline of the wide range of recent research progresses and perspectives on nanosized active anode materials for future LIBs.
Highlights
The research community is currently engaging in profuse efforts to achieve effective energy storage strategies which are the key for the exploitation of alternative energy and for the replacement of fossil fuels and traditional energy sources [1]
The main aim of this review is to provide an organic outline of the wide range of recent research progresses and perspectives on nanosized active anode materials for future Li-ion batteries (LIBs)
Carbon-based materials with various consistencies and morphologies have been recognized as appropriate anode materials for LIBs due to their features, such as ease of availability, stability in thermal, chemical and electrochemical environment, low cost, and good lithium intercalation and de-intercalation reversibility [2e 5,66]
Summary
The research community is currently engaging in profuse efforts to achieve effective energy storage strategies which are the key for the exploitation of alternative energy and for the replacement of fossil fuels and traditional energy sources [1]. The path leading to LIBs with improved energy and power density has, as major challenge, the selection of suitable anode materials which can provide high capacity and ease diffusion of Li-ions into the anode, along with good cycling life and free from safety concerns (see Fig. 2). High volume expansion, poor electron transport, capacity fading, and low coulombic efficiency as well, are the main limitations that have to be overcame before they can be used as effective anodes In this sense, promising results and a bright perspective is offered by nanostructuring the above listed materials. The expected advantages from using nanotechnology in LIBs can be listed as follow [56,61e64]: i) Realization of active materials with high surface to volume ratio, intensification of the presence of active sites for lithium storage This would result in a considerable increase of the specific capacity. We will classify the discussed innovative anode materials in three main groups, depending on their Li-ion battery performances and reaction mechanism (see Table 1): 1) Intercalation/de-intercalation materials, such as carbon based materials, porous carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, TiO2, Li4Ti5O12, etc; 2) Alloy/de-alloy materials such as Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Bi, SnO2, etc; 3) Conversion materials like transition metal oxides (MnxOy, NiO, FexOy, CuO, Cu2O, MoO2 etc.), metal sulphides, metal phosphides and metal nitrides (MxXy; here X 1⁄4 S, P, N)
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