Synergistic Strategies for Extreme Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries: Graphite Anode, Electrolyte, and Electrode Architectural Engineering

Qihang Ding; Hui Li; Xinping Ai

Abstract

Extreme fast charging (XFC) of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for alleviating charging anxiety and accelerating electric vehicles adoption, but it remains challenging due to lithium plating on graphite anodes under high-rate conditions. This review systematically summarizes recent advances and synergistic strategies for achieving XFC from three integrated perspectives: graphite anodes, electrolytes, and electrode architectures. The fundamental limitations leading to lithium plating are first analyzed, including the high desolvation energy barrier as the rate-determining step, the anisotropic nature of graphite that restricts active intercalation sites, and the polarization heterogeneity along the thickness of porous electrodes. For graphite anodes, strategies such as etching-induced porosity, edge-plane functionalization, heterostructure construction, and artificial SEI engineering are discussed to increase active-site density and lower the desolvation barrier. In electrolyte design, the focus has shifted from maximizing ionic conductivity alone to synergistically enhancing Li⁺ transport and interfacial kinetics. Representative approaches include low-viscosity co-solvents, highly dissociative lithium salts, weakly coordinating solvents, localized high-concentration electrolytes, bulky-anion or polyanionic electrolytes, and low-desolvation-energy solvents. For electrode architectures, porosity gradients and low-tortuosity designs are highlighted to facilitate Li⁺ transport while preserving energy density. Finally, key future directions are proposed, including multi-objective optimization, quantitative modeling, emerging materials, and degradation management. This review provides a comprehensive framework for the rational design of fast-charging LIBs through coordinated engineering across materials, electrolytes, and electrode structures.

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