Carbon in lithium-ion and post-lithium-ion batteries: Recent features

An attempt has been made to review and analyze the developments made during last few decades on the place of carbon in batteries. First identified as an anode of interest in the form of graphite, carbon has also made a place for itself as conductive agent added during electrode formulation or also as buffer with electrochemical active oxide processing by conversion. The focus is primarily on how to decrease the irreversibility of classical anode materials then how to increase its whole performance through nanostructures, mainly CNTs and graphene. We have identified post-lithium batteries as an opportunity for carbon as anode but also as support to reversible cathode material. Operando measurements may provide several breakthroughs and allow the rational and real design of carbonaceous materials for high power anodes in all types of batteries.