Metal Alloys Anode Materials for Batteries Energy Storage

The rapid expansion of high-power applications for LIBs has highlighted limitations of conventional anode materials under high current densities. Graphite, the widely used anode material, suffers from significant capacity fade and structural degradation due to lithium plating and other failure mechanisms at elevated current rates. Simultaneously, the increasing demand for large-scale energy storage has driven interest in SIBs. However, the development of SIBs is hindered by the lack of suitable high-energy-density anodes. These challenges underscore the urgency to explore alternative anodes. Alloy-based anodes have emerged as candidates due to their high theoretical capacities and potential for both LIBs and SIBs. Despite their advantages, alloy anodes face significant obstacles, including swelling, poor electronic conductivity, and rapid capacity degradation. To address these challenges, this chapter focuses on the fundamental storage mechanisms of alloy anodes, identifying hurdles and proposing strategies to mitigate performance limitations. Among these strategies, nanostructuring and carbon embedding have demonstrated notable success in buffering volume changes, enhancing conductivity, and improving cycle life By bridging the knowledge gap between storage mechanisms and practical applications, the insights presented aim to guide the development of high-performance alloy anodes, paving the way for next-generation LIBs and SIBs that meet the demands of modern energy storage systems.