Recent Progress of Graphene as Cathode materials in Lithium Ion Batteries

Graphene, composed by one-atom-thick planar sheet with sp2 bonded carbon atoms, which is regarded as the basis for all fullerene allotropic forms. Its combination with electrode materials (LiFePO₄, LiMn₂O₄, etc.) could dramatically increase the electrochemical performance of the rechargeable battery system. With relative poor rate capability, charge capacity, and cyclability of lithium ion batteries, this review analyses the prospects of graphene materials serve as lithium ion battery electrodes to meet such demands. Some important advances have been summarized, ranging from the synthesis of graphene-based lithium ion battery electrodes to their properties and underlying principles for electrochemical improvement of such materials.