Synergistic Pore Architecture and Surface Lithiation Enable Li <sub>3</sub> PO <sub>4</sub> -Dominated Interphases for Ultrahigh-Rate Graphite Anodes
Zhikun Huang, Chenghao Cui, Kai Wang, Hongyun Ma, Guoyu Pan, Yuanfan Gu, Yingjie Gao, Wujie Qiu, Zhuang Sun, Tao Zhang
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Designing high-rate anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) remains a critical challenge due to the sluggish ion dynamics and capacity degradation of graphite-based materials under high-rate cycling. Here, we present a surface-lithiated porous graphite (LPG) anode designed through synergistic structural and interfacial modifications. Micron-scale pores introduced on graphite basal planes reduce Li + diffusion distance while maintaining a low specific surface area (≤ 2 m 2 ·g –1 ), ensuring an initial Coulombic efficiency exceeding 90%. Surface lithium-containing groups are identified as a key factor in inducing the formation of a Li 3 PO 4 -enriched solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which effectively mitigates Li + -solvent interactions and enhances desolvation kinetics. As a result, LPG anodes exhibit good high-rate capabilities, delivering a delithiated capacity of 327 mAh·g –1 at 50 C and retaining 88.9% initial capacity after 2000 cycles at 5 C. With kilogram-scale production and soft-pack battery verification, this strategy positions LPG as a scalable, high-rate anode solution for next-generation LIBs, achieving a good balance between rate performance and capacity retention. Surface-lithiated porous graphite achieves a good balance in balancing rate performance and capacity retention for lithium-ion batteries.