Nanostructured electrode materials have been extensively studied with the aim of enhancing lithium ion and electron transport and lowering the stress caused by their volume changes during the charge–discharge processes of electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. In this work, novel two-dimensional nanocomposite, polyaniline-coated SnS2 (SnS2@PANI) nanoplates have been prepared by an in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on the surface of ultrasonic exfoliated SnS2 nanoplates. The SnS2@PANI nanoplates present a lamellar sandwich nanostructure, which can provide a good conductive network between neighboring nanoplates, shorten the path for ion transport in the active material, and alleviate the expansion and contraction of the electrode material during charge–discharge processes, leading to improved electrochemical performance. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, SnS2@PANI nanoplates have a high initial reversible capacity (968.7 mA h g−1), excellent cyclability (730.8 mA h g−1 after 80 cycles, corresponding to 75.4% of the initial reversible capacity), and an extraordinary rate capability (356.1 mA h g−1 at the rate of 5000 mA g−1). This study not only provides a simple and efficient synthesis strategy for various inorganic–organic composites obtained by the exfoliation of layered inorganic materials, but can also help in the design of novel, high performance electrode materials.

Olivine-structured lithium ion phosphate (LiFePO4) is one of the most competitive candidates for fabricating energy-driven cathode material for sustainable lithium ion battery (LIB) systems. However, the high electrochemical performance is significantly limited by the slow diffusivity of Li-ion in LiFePO4 (ca. 10−14 cm2 s−1) together with the low electronic conductivity (ca. 10−9 S cm−1), which is the big challenge currently faced by us. To resolve the challenge, many efforts have been directed to the dynamics of the lithiation/delithiation process in LixFePO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), mechanism of electrochemical modification, and synthetic reaction process, which are crucial for the development of high electrochemical performance for LiFePO4 material. In this review, in order to reflect the recent progress ranging from the very fundamental to practical applications, we specifically focus on the mechanism studies of LiFePO4 including the lithiation/delithiation process, electrochemical modification and synthetic reaction. Firstly, we highlight the Li-ion diffusion pathway in LixFePO4 and phase translation of LixFePO4. Then, we summarize the modification mechanism of LiFePO4 with high-rated capability, excellent low-temperature performance and high energy density. Finally, we discuss the synthetic reaction mechanism of high-temperature carbothermal reaction route and low-temperature hydrothermal/solvothermal reaction route.

•To provide a generic research landscape in microwave irradiation assisted synthesis (MIAS) for preparing LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co and Ni).•To highlight the reaction mechanism of LiMPO4 electrode materials via microwave-assisted solid phase thermal (MW-SPT) and liquid phase thermal (MW-LPT) methods.•To emphasize importance of MIAS providing “inert and instant heating” and “energy- and time-saving” route for electrode materials synthesis.The olivine-structured LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co and Ni), particularly LiFePO4, is one of the most viable and promising candidates of cathode material for the sustainable lithium ion batteries (LIBs) as reversible electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. Usually, LiMPO4 can be synthesized via solid phase thermal (SPT) route, which is considered as a crucial process for improving the crystallinity of LiMPO4. However, in the conventional SPT process, e.g., common calcination, energy is generally transferred through heat convection, heat conduction and heat radiation from the surfaces to inners, which entail prolonged exposure to high calcination temperature (e.g. 700 °C for 12 h). Different from the heat treatment route of calcinaiton, microwave irradiation can provide “inert and instant heating” of LiMPO4 precursors and synthesize even crystallite LiMPO4 cathode materials. This microwave-assisted SPT (MW-SPT) method is not only energy- and time-saving (e.g., 700 W, 4 min), but also exhibits superiority in optimizing physical characters, improving Li-ion diffusion kinetics and enhancing high rate performance. Furthermore, the microwave-assisted liquid phase thermal (MW-LPT) method has been also employed to prepare LiMPO4 cathode materials. Recently, both MW-SPT and MW-LPT routes have led to increased interest in the development of LiMPO4 cathode materials and processing capabilities to enable high electrochemical performance. In this review, we focus on the LiMPO4 cathode materials synthesized by microwave irradiation assisted synthesis (MIAS) route, which conclude mainly two parts, MW-SPT and MW-LPT routes. The major goal is to highlight the reaction mechanism and current developments of LiMPO4 synthesized via MW-SPT and MW-LPT methods. The structural, morphological and electrochemical performance of LiMPO4 cathode materials prepared by MIAS has also been discussed.

Nanostructured electrode materials have been extensively studied with the aim of enhancing lithium ion and electron transport and lowering the stress caused by their volume changes during the charge–discharge processes of electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. In this work, novel two-dimensional nanocomposite, polyaniline-coated SnS2 (SnS2@PANI) nanoplates have been prepared by an in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on the surface of ultrasonic exfoliated SnS2 nanoplates. The SnS2@PANI nanoplates present a lamellar sandwich nanostructure, which can provide a good conductive network between neighboring nanoplates, shorten the path for ion transport in the active material, and alleviate the expansion and contraction of the electrode material during charge–discharge processes, leading to improved electrochemical performance. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, SnS2@PANI nanoplates have a high initial reversible capacity (968.7 mA h g−1), excellent cyclability (730.8 mA h g−1 after 80 cycles, corresponding to 75.4% of the initial reversible capacity), and an extraordinary rate capability (356.1 mA h g−1 at the rate of 5000 mA g−1). This study not only provides a simple and efficient synthesis strategy for various inorganic–organic composites obtained by the exfoliation of layered inorganic materials, but can also help in the design of novel, high performance electrode materials.