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

TLDR

Lithium‑ion batteries provide high energy and power density, while sodium‑ion batteries are emerging as a cost‑effective alternative; conversion‑reaction transition metal oxides are promising low‑cost anodes with high gravimetric capacities. This review surveys recent advances and challenges in conversion‑reaction transition metal oxide anodes for lithium‑ and sodium‑ion batteries, covering synthesis, morphology, electrochemical performance, and future research directions. The authors analyze conversion‑reaction TMOs by examining synthesis techniques, morphological features, and electrochemical performance in LIBs and SIBs.

Abstract

Abstract 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.