Graphene and Related Materials as Anode Materials in Li Ion Batteries: Science and Practicality

This chapter presents the science and practicality of graphene and related materials. Basically, the entire array of graphene-related materials were categorized in to three groups, depending on the lithium (Li) storage mechanism of electroactive materials: i.e. intercalation, conversion, and alloying. Novel materials which work on different Li ion storage mechanisms were proposed as alternative anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to: their better Li+ storage capacities, no Li-dendrite growth, no current rate restrictions and very low irreversible capacity loss. The commercial success of graphite as an anode in LIBs stems from its layered structure, its low intercalation/deintercalation potentials and the high Coulombic and voltage efficiency. Making composites of silicon with graphene, which has excellent electronic conductivity and mechanical stability, can improve the performance of LIBs as it can increase the conductivity and accommodate volumetric expansion of silicon in LIBs.