Graphene-Based Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Summary
Graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of sp²-bonded carbon, has emerged as a compelling candidate to replace or augment conventional graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Owing to its extraordinary electrical conductivity, large specific surface area and mechanical flexibility, graphene can facilitate rapid charge transfer, accommodate high lithium-ion loading and mitigate electrode fracture during cycling. Key strategies to harness these advantages include tailoring interlayer spacing to promote lithium intercalation, introducing controlled porosity to ease ion transport, and assembling composite architectures with metal oxides or sulphides to boost capacity and cycle life. Despite these advances, challenges persist in preventing restacking of graphene sheets, ensuring stable solid electrolyte interphase formation and achieving scalable, cost-effective synthesis. Progress in morphological control, heteroatom doping and hybrid nanostructures promises to unlock graphene’s full potential for high-energy, fast-charging battery applications.
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Graphene-Based Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in graphene-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Graphene: A two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, notable for its high conductivity and surface area.
Anode: The negative electrode in a lithium-ion battery where lithium ions are intercalated during charging.
Lithium intercalation: The reversible insertion of lithium ions into the layered structure of an electrode material.
Specific capacity: The amount of electric charge stored per unit mass of electrode material, usually expressed in mAh/g.
Coulombic efficiency: The ratio of charge extracted during discharge to charge input during charge, expressed as a percentage.
Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI): A passivating layer formed on the electrode surface that influences ion transport and cycle stability.
References
- Influence of the Specific Surface Area of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Capacity of Lithium-Ion Batteries. Frontiers in Chemistry (2022).
- Antimony Trisulfide with Graphene Oxide Coated Titania Nanotube Arrays as Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials (2024).
- Experimental and Modeling Analysis of Holey Graphene Electrodes for High-Power-Density Li-Ion Batteries. Crystals (2020).
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