Recent developments in advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

The rapid expansion of electric vehicles and mobile electronic devices is the main driver for the improvement of advanced high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical performance of LIBs depends on the specific capacity, rate performance and cycle stability of the electrode materials. In terms of the enhancement of LIB performance, the improvement of the anode material is significant compared with the cathode material. There are still some challenges in producing an industrial anode material that is superior to commercial graphite. Based on the different electrochemical reaction mechanisms of anode materials for LIBs during charge and discharge, the advantages/disadvantages and electrochemical reaction mechanisms of intercalation-, conversion- and alloying-type anode materials are summarized in detail here. The methods and strategies for improving the electrochemical performance of different types of anode materials are described in detail. Finally, challenges for the future development of LIBs are also considered. This review offers a meaningful reference for the construction and performance optimization of anode materials for LIBs.