A synergistic graphene–hard carbon shell enables fast-charging graphite anode

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), increasing demands have been placed on achieving ultrafast charging capability. Graphite, the dominant commercial anode material, suffers from sluggish ion transport kinetics and interfacial instability, which pose significant challenges to the fast-charging performance of LIBs. Previous strategies, including surface coatings and conductive network construction, often address these challenges in isolation, leading to an inherent trade-off between structural stability and electrical conductivity. Here, we report a scalable one-step pyrolysis of pitch that concurrently constructs a conformal amorphous-carbon shell and an integrated graphene network on graphite. In this process, the molten pitch serves as a molecular binder that anchors graphene sheets onto graphite, forming continuous electron pathways, while subsequent carbonization yields a robust hard-carbon shell that reinforces the solid–electrolyte interphase. This dual-functional interface markedly enhances electrochemical performance, delivering a reversible capacity of 240 mAh·g⁻¹ at 1C and retaining 333 mAh·g⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 1C, significantly outperforming pristine graphite. Even under a demanding 3.0C regime, the modified anode maintains around 170 mAh·g⁻¹ after 500 cycles with 94.4% retention. This work offers a holistic and scalable paradigm for engineering multifunctional interfaces in conventional electrode materials, providing a promising pathway for next-generation high-performance LIBs.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

anode / hard carbon / graphene / fast-charging / hierarchical conductive network

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