Lithium alloys and metal oxides as high-capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• Progress in lithium alloys and metal oxides as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries is reviewed.
• Electrochemical characteristics and lithium storage mechanisms of lithium alloys and metal oxides are summarized.
• Strategies for improving electrochemical lithium storage properties of lithium alloys and metal oxides are discussed.
• Challenges in developing lithium alloys and metal oxides as commercial anodes for lithium-ion batteries are pointed out.

Lithium alloys and metal oxides have been widely recognized as the next-generation anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and high power density. A variety of lithium alloys and metal oxides have been explored as alternatives to the commercial carbonaceous anodes. The electrochemical characteristics of silicon, tin, tin oxide, iron oxides, cobalt oxides, copper oxides, and so on are systematically summarized. In this review, it is not the scope to retrace the overall studies, but rather to highlight the electrochemical performances, the lithium storage mechanism and the strategies in improving the electrochemical properties of lithium alloys and metal oxides. The challenges and new directions in developing lithium alloys and metal oxides as commercial anodes for the next-generation lithium-ion batteries are also discussed.