Systematic design of safe, high-energy lithium-ion batteries by merging intercalation and alloying anodes

Abstract

The development of advanced anode materials is critical for enhancing the energy density and safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we demonstrate a blended anode comprising lithium titanate (LTO) and tin–antimony (SnSb) alloy, investigating the trade-offs between capacity and cycle life across varying LTO : SnSb ratios. The near-zero strain properties of LTO provide mechanical durability by mitigating the volume expansion issues of SnSb when present at levels <20 wt% in the blended anode. This system delivers a favorable half-cell potential (∼0.5–1.5 V vs. Li/Li⁺) and specific capacities ranging from 300 to 500 mAh g⁻¹.