Better lithium-ion batteries with nanocable-like electrode materials

Lithium-ion battery constitutes one of the most popular energy sources which powers current electronic instruments. It is also a promising candidate to be used in future electric devices. To fulfil its potential in future battery market, the better properties of lithium-ion batteries, e. g., higher capacity, better rate performance, are undoubtedly required. The development of nanotechnology has greatly advanced the frontier of lithium-ion battery research. Recently, it was realized that the application of nanocable-like structure in the design of electrodes can significantly improve the properties of lithium-ion batteries. Here we give an overiew of the design, synthesis, and applications of such structures in lithium-ion batteries and highlight some of the latest achievements in this area. It is exciting that the future of lithium-ion batteries is quite bright in view of the high specific capacity, much improved rate performance, as well as superior cycling stability brought by the nanocable-like electrode materials.