Application and research progress of coating pitch in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

The demand for high-power, high-specific capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and their upstream products is increasing due to the rapid development of the new energy industry. In LIBs, coating pitch is a crucial surface modifier for anode materials. The carbon coating layer formed after carbonization can efficiently inhibit direct contact between the anode materials and the electrolyte. It alleviates volumetric expansion of anode materials during charging/discharging, preventing chalking and decomposition, and prolonging battery service life. However, the current research on coating pitch has not yet been systematic. Herein, the basic performance indexes, preparation methods, and coating techniques of coating pitch are reviewed in detail. It also summarizes the future concerns of the industry to further optimize the preparation process of coating pitch and to provide new ideas and methods for the clean and high value-added utilization of pitch.