Nanostructured Conversion-type Anode Materials for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries

The development of high-performance anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is vital to meeting the requirements for large-scale applications ranging from electric vehicles to power grids. Conversion-type transition-metal compounds are attractive anodes for next-generation LIBs because of their diverse compositions and high theoretical specific capacities. Here, we provide an overview of the recent development of some representative conversion-type anode materials (CTAMs) in LIBs. In this review, we start with an introduction to typical CTAMs and their lithium storage mechanisms. Then, we present the obstacles to their widespread implementation and the corresponding nanoengineering strategies for high-performance CTAMs, including the use of low-dimensional nanostructures, hierarchical porous nanostructures, hollow structures, and hybridization with various carbonaceous materials. Particularly, we highlight the relationship between these nanostructures and the lithium storage properties. Lastly, we present some perspectives on the current challenges and possible research directions for nanostructured CTAMs.