An overview of AB2O4- and A2BO4-structured negative electrodes for advanced Li-ion batteries

Energy-storage devices are state-of-the-art devices with many potential technical and domestic applications. Conventionally used batteries do not meet the requirements of electric or plug-in hybridelectric vehicles due to their insufficient energy and power densities. Graphite is used for the conventional anodes of Li-ion batteries. However, the specific capacity (372 mA h g(-1)) of a graphite electrode is not sufficient for high-power applications. Therefore, Co-, Ni-, Mn-, and Zn-based simple oxides have been investigated as anode components due to their high specific capacities (500-1000 mA h g(-1)). Among these, Co-based anodes have demonstrated the best electrochemical performances; however, Co's high cost and toxicity limit its use as an ideal anode component. Recently, mixed-metal oxides with AB(2)O(4) (A = Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, and Zn; B = Co, Mn, and Fe) and A(2)BO(4) (A = Co, Mn, and Fe; B = Sn, Si, Ti, and Ge) structures have received much interest, and their electrochemical performances have been extensively studied. This type of mixed-metal oxide affords the following main advantages: they store charge through conversion as well as alloying-dealloying processes, and they exhibit higher electronic conductivities than that obtained with simple metal oxides. The above points indicate the importance of AB(2)O(4)- and A(2)BO(4)-structured materials. The present review emphasizes the recent literature on the electrochemical performance of AB(2)O(4)- and A(2)BO(4)-structured materials and their composites and feasible ways to implement these materials in Li-ion batteries in the near future.