Critical Insight into the Relentless Progression Toward Graphene and Graphene‐Containing Materials for Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. np - n/a
• Main Authors: Raccichini, Rinaldo, Varzi, Alberto, Wei, Di, Passerini, Stefano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2017
• Subjects: anode; Anodes; battery; Battery cycles; Electric potential; Electrochemical analysis; Fever; Graphene; graphene‐containing hybrids; Gravimetry; Ion storage; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Negligence; Parameters; Progressions; Rechargeable batteries; Voltage; anode; graphene-containing hybrids; lithium-ion batteries; battery; graphene
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201603421

Used as a bare active material or component in hybrids, graphene has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years. Indeed, from the first report that appeared in late July 2008, almost 1600 papers were published as of the end 2015 that investigated the properties of graphene as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. Although an impressive amount of data has been collected, a real advance in the field still seems to be missing. In this framework, attention is focused on the most prominent research efforts in this field with the aim of identifying the causes of such relentless progression through an insightful and critical evaluation of the lithium‐ion storage performances (i.e., 1st cycle irreversible capacity, specific gravimetric and volumetric capacities, average delithiation voltage profile, rate capability and stability upon cycling). The “graphene fever” has certainly provided a number of fundamental studies unveiling the electrochemical properties of this “wonder” material. However, analysis of the published literature also highlights a loss of focus from the final application. Hype‐driven claims, not fully appropriate metrics, and negligence of key parameters are probably some of the factors still hindering the application of graphene in commercial batteries. The use of graphene and graphene‐containing materials for lithium‐ion battery anodes is reviewed. Through a specific focus on the evaluation of the most important parameters for lithium‐ion battery applications, graphene and graphene‐containing materials are critically assessed.