High-performance electrospun nanostructured composite fiber anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their high specific energy and cost effectiveness, making them suitable for many applications including portable electronics, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. Unfortunately, they suffer from some critical drawbacks like slow power capability and unsafety. One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured multifunctional composite fiber anodes fabricated using electrospun polymer nanofibers through thermal and chemical treatments have recently been developed to address these challenges, since they provide faster reaction kinetics, shorter Li ion diffusion pathways, mechanical integrity, and continuous fibrous networks. In this chapter, we review recent developments on 1D nanostructured composite fiber anodes for LIBs with special emphases on their syntheses, electrochemical performance, and electrode reaction mechanisms.