Ultrafine Copper Nanopalm Tree‐Like Framework Decorated with Iron Oxide for Li‐Ion Battery Anodes with Exceptional Rate Capability and Cycling Stability

Ultrafine copper nanopalm tree‐like frameworks conformally decorated with iron oxide (Cu NPF@Fe₂O₃) are prepared by a facile electrodeposition method utilizing bromine ions as unique anisotropic growth catalysts. The formation mechanism and control over Cu growth are comprehensively investigated under various conditions to provide a guideline for fabricating a Cu nanoarchitecture via electrochemical methods. The optimized Cu NPFs exhibit ultrathin (<90 nm) and elongated (2–50 µm) branches with well‐interconnected and entangled features, which result in highly desirable attributes such as a large specific surface area (≈6.97 m² g^?1), free transfer pathway for Li⁺, and high electrical conductivity. The structural advantages of Cu NPF@Fe₂O₃ enhance the electrochemical kinetics, providing large reactivity, fast Li⁺/electron transfer, and structural stability during cycling, that lead to superior electrochemical Li storage performance. The resulting Cu NPF@Fe₂O₃ demonstrates a high specific capacity (919.5 mAh g^–1 at 0.1 C), long‐term stability (801.1 mAh g^–1 at 2 C, ≈120% retention after 500 cycles), and outstanding rate capability (630 mAh g^–1 at 10 C).     

Recent Developments and Understanding of Novel Mixed Transition‐Metal Oxides as Anodes in Lithium Ion Batteries

Mixed transition‐metal oxides (MTMOs), including stannates, ferrites, cobaltates, and nickelates, have attracted increased attention in the application of high performance lithium‐ion batteries. Compared with traditional metal oxides, MTMOs exhibit enormous potential as electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries originating from higher reversible capacity, better structural stability, and high electronic conductivity. Recent advancements in the rational design of novel MTMO micro/nanostructures for lithium‐ion battery anodes are summarized and their energy storage mechanism is compared to transition‐metal oxide anodes. In particular, the significant effects of the MTMO morphology, micro/nanostructure, and crystallinity on battery performance are highlighted. Furthermore, the future trends and prospects, as well as potential problems, are presented to further develop advanced MTMO anodes for more promising and large‐scale commercial applications of lithium‐ion batteries.     

Unraveling the Rapid Redox Behavior of Li‐Excess 3d‐Transition Metal Oxides for High Rate Capability

Li‐excess 3d‐transition metal layered oxides are promising candidates in high‐energy‐density cathode materials for improving the mileage of electric vehicles. However, their low rate capability has hindered their practical application. The lack of understanding about the redox reactions and migration behavior at high C‐rates make it difficult to design Li‐excess materials with high rate capability. In this study, the characteristics of the atomic behavior that is predominant at fast charge/discharge are investigated by comparing cation‐ordered and cation‐disordered materials using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The difference in the atomic arrangement determines the dominance of the transition metal/oxygen redox reaction and the variations in transition metal–oxygen hybridization. In‐depth electrochemical analysis is combined with operando XAS analysis to reveal electronically and structurally preferred atomic behavior when a redox reaction occurs between oxygen and each transition metal under fast charge/discharge conditions. This provides a fundamental insight into the improvement of rate capability. Furthermore, this work provides guidance for identifying high‐energy‐density materials with complex structural properties.     

V2O5 Nano‐Electrodes with High Power and Energy Densities for Thin Film Li‐Ion Batteries

Nanostructured V₂O₅ thin films have been prepared by means of cathodic deposition from an aqueous solution made from V₂O₅ and H₂O₂ directly on fluorine‐doped tin oxide coated (FTO) glasses followed by annealing at 500°C in air, and studied as film electrodes for lithium ion batteries. XPS results show that the as‐deposited films contained 15% V⁴⁺, however after annealing all the vanadium is oxidized to V⁵⁺. The crystallinity, surface morphology, and microstructures of the films have been investigated by means of XRD, SEM, and AFM. The V₂O₅ thin film electrodes show excellent electrochemical properties as cathodes for lithium ion intercalation: a high initial discharge capacity of 402 mA h g^?1 and 240 mA h g^?1 is retained after over 200 cycles with a discharging rate of 200 mA g^?1 (1.3 C). The specific energy density is calculated as 900 W h kg^?1 for the 1^st cycle and 723 W h kg^?1 for the 180^th cycle when the films are tested at 200 mA g^?1 (1.3 C). When discharge/charge is carried out at a high current density of 10.5 A g^?1 (70 C), the thin film electrodes retain a good discharge capacity of 120 mA h g^?1, and the specific power density is over 28 kW kg^?1.     

Vanadate‐Based Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries: The Search for Anodes for Practical Applications

While the practical application of electrode materials depends intensively on the Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms correlating ultimately with the coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity, and morphology variation of electrode material upon cycling, only intercalation‐type electrode materials have proven viable for commercialization up to now. This paper reviews the promising anode materials of metal vanadates (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Li) that have high capacity, low cost, and abundant resource, and also discusses the related Li⁺ ion storage mechanism. It is concluded that most of these (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni) exhibit irreversible redox reactions upon lithiation/delithiation accompanied by large volume expansion, which is not favorable for industrial applications. In particular, Li₃VO₄ with specific intercalation Li⁺ ion storage mechanism and compatible merits of safety and energy density exhibits great potential for practical application. This review systematically summarizes the latest progress in Li₃VO₄ research, including the representative fabrication approaches for advanced morphology and state‐of‐the‐art technologies to boost performance and the morphology variation associated with Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms. Furthermore, an outlook on where breakthroughs for Li₃VO₄ may be most likely achieved will be provided.     

Biomimetic Spider‐Web‐Like Composites for Enhanced Rate Capability and Cycle Life of Lithium Ion Battery Anodes

It is crucial to control the structure and composition of composite anode materials to enhance the cell performance of such anode materials for lithium ion batteries. Herein, a biomimetic strategy is demonstrated for the design of high performance anode materials, inspired by the structural characteristics and working principles of sticky spider‐webs. Hierarchically porous, sticky, spider‐web‐like multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) networks are prepared through a process involving ozonation, ice‐templating assembly, and thermal treatment, thereby integrating the networks with γ‐Fe₂O₃ particles. The spider‐web‐like MWCNT/γ‐Fe₂O₃ composite network not only traps the active γ‐Fe₂O₃ materials tightly but also provides fast charge transport through the 3D internetworked pathways and the mechanical integrity. Consequently, the composite web shows a high capacity of ≈822 mA h g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1, fast rate capability with ≈72.3% retention at rates from 0.05 to 1 A g^?1, and excellent cycling stability of >88% capacity retention after 310 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency >99%. These remarkable electrochemical performances are attributed to the complementarity of the 3D spider‐web‐like structure with the strong attachment of γ‐Fe₂O₃ particles on the sticky surface. This synthetic strategy offers an environmentally safe, simple, and cost‐effective avenue for the biomimetic design of high performance energy storage materials.     

Hierarchically Porous Li4Ti5O12 Anode Materials for Li‐ and Na‐Ion Batteries: Effects of Nanoarchitectural Design and Temperature Dependence of the Rate Capability

Integrated design of both porous structure and crystalline morphology is expected to open up the way to a new class of materials. This report demonstrates new nanostructured Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ materials with hierarchically porous structures and flower‐like morphologies. Electrochemical studies of the electrodes of Li‐ion and Na‐ion batteries clearly reveal the advantage of nanoarchitectural design of active materials. In addition, the temperature dependence of Na⁺‐insertion/extraction capacity in relation to Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ electrodes is for the first time evaluated and it is found that elevation of the cell operating temperature effectively improves the rate capability of the Na‐ion batteries. Based on the new findings, it is suggested that specially designed Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ materials allow for high‐performance Na‐ion batteries that are available as large‐scale storage devices for applications such as automotive and stationary energy storage.     

Transition Metal Oxide Anodes for Electrochemical Energy Storage in Lithium‐ and Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with outstanding energy and power density have been extensively investigated in recent years, rendering them the most suitable energy storage technology for application in emerging markets such as electric vehicles and stationary storage. More recently, sodium, one of the most abundant elements on earth, exhibiting similar physicochemical properties as lithium, has been gaining increasing attention for the development of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) in order to address the concern about Li availability and cost—especially with regard to stationary applications for which size and volume of the battery are of less importance. Compared with traditional intercalation reactions, conversion reaction‐based transition metal oxides (TMOs) are prospective anode materials for rechargeable batteries thanks to their low cost and high gravimetric specific capacities. In this review, the recent progress and remaining challenges of conversion reactions for LIBs and SIBs are discussed, covering an overview about the different synthesis methods, morphological characteristics, as well as their electrochemical performance. Potential future research directions and a perspective toward the practical application of TMOs for electrochemical energy storage are also provided.