3d Transition-Metal Oxides as Anode Micro/Nano-Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

Compared with the traditional carbon materials for lithium-ion batteries, 3d transition-metal oxides (MxOy, where M is Co, Fe, Cu or Ni) as anode materials have been attracting intensive attention in recent years due to their higher energy capacity, higher recharging rates and safety to meet the ever-going demand for lithium-ion batteries with energy density, power density, cyclability and safety to be more suitable for its new applications in many fields, which include portable electronic consumer devices, electric vehicles, large-scale electricity storage in smart or intelligent grids, etc. In this review, firstly a general introduction is given to the charge-discharge mechanism of 3d MxOy, anode materials. Then, a discussion in detail is made to the relationship between the electrochemical properties and a variety of structural characteristics of 3d MxOy and composite anode materials, in light of the structural characteristics of 0 dimensional (0 D), 1D, 2D, 3D nano-structures, hollow, core/shell, micro/nano-structures, and so on. More over, some analyses are focused mainly on various strategies used to fabricate different 3d MxOy, anode materials. Finally, it is highlighted to the future trends and prospects in the development of 3d MxOy, anode micro/nano- materials.