Advanced Nanostructured Cathode and Anode Materials for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries

The search for new cathode and anode materials for Li-ion batteries has been an important way to satisfy the ever-growing demands for better performance with higher energy/power densities, safety, cycle stability and rate capability. The use of nanostructured electrode (both anode and cathode) materials for Li-ion batteries has been extensively studied and has presented the opportunity to enhance both ion transport and electron transport, and to promote liquid electrolyte diffusion into the bulk material by shortening the diffusion lengths of ions and increasing the conductivity within the whole electrode, thus improves the electrochemical performance of batteries. In this review, the use of advanced nanostructured electrode materials for rechargeable Li-ion batteries is reviewed, especially our recent researches, including various insertion-type, conversion-type and alloying-type electrode materials. The major goal of the current review is to highlight some recent progresses in using these nanostructured materials as cathode and anode materials to develop Li-ion batteries with high capacity, high rate capability, and excellent cycling stability.