Oxocarbons Electrode Materials for Alkali Ion Batteries: Challenges, Strategies and Development

Benefiting from the high theoretic capacity, structural designability, low cost, abundant resources and sustainability, oxocarbons materials have attracted extensive attention as a promising candidate to replace inorganic electrode materials for alkali ion batteries (AIBs). This review focuses on the in-depth evaluation of the electrochemical properties of oxocarbons for lithium, sodium and potassium ion batteries. Further, we summarize the evolution, challenges and opportunities of oxocarbon compounds based on our current understanding. In addition, we identified two main aspects that limit their applications as electrode materials: 1) inferior conductivity and 2) fast capacity decay. Hence, in this review we also integrate different strategies to improve these two aspects, e. g., compositing with carbon, grafting conductive polymers, nanostructuring, optimizing electrolytes, designing interface, and selecting appropriate binders. This review can be useful to understand the practical application and commercial feasibility of such materials for different AIBs applications.

Automated summary

This review evaluates the electrochemical properties of oxocarbons for lithium, sodium and potassium ion batteries and summarizes the evolution, challenges, and opportunities of these compounds. Strategies to improve the conductivity and capacity decay of oxocarbon materials are discussed in the context of their potential applications in AIBs.