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Highlights: The LiNO3-implanted electroactive β phase polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene was built as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase layer for dendrite suppression. The electronegatively charged polymer layer can capture Li ion on its surface to form Li-ion charged channels and recompense the ionic flux of electrolytes via continuous supply of Li ion. The modified Li anode achieved a long cycle life over 2000 h under ultrahigh Li utilization of 50% in symmetric cell and worked in full cell for 100 cycles at harsh condition of extremely low N/P of 0.83. The concentration difference in the near-surface region of lithium metal is the main cause of lithium dendrite growth. Resolving this issue will be key to achieving high-performance lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we construct a lithium nitrate (LiNO3)-implanted electroactive β phase polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) crystalline polymorph layer (PHL). The electronegatively charged polymer chains attain lithium ions on the surface to form lithium-ion charged channels. These channels act as reservoirs to sustainably release Li ions to recompense the ionic flux of electrolytes, decreasing the growth of lithium dendrites. The stretched molecular channels can also accelerate the transport of Li ions. The combined effects enable a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.0% for 250 cycles in lithium (Li)||copper (Cu) cell and a stable symmetric plating/stripping behavior over 2000 h at 3 mA cm−2 with ultrahigh Li utilization of 50%. Furthermore, the full cell coupled with PHL-Cu@Li anode and LiFePO4 cathode exhibits long-term cycle stability with high-capacity retention of 95.9% after 900 cycles. Impressively, the full cell paired with LiNi0.87Co0.1Mn0.03O2 maintains a discharge capacity of 170.0 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 84.3% after 100 cycles even under harsh condition of ultralow N/P ratio of 0.83. This facile strategy will widen the potential application of LiNO3 in ester-based electrolyte for practical high-voltage LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is considered as a candidate anode material to replace commercial graphite anodes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the significant volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process leads to poor cycle and rate performance, severely limiting the application of the ZnS anode in LIBs. Here, core–shell ZnS@C microrods (ZnS@C MRs) were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, followed by in situ polymerization and a sulfidation process. Due to the rationally designed structure, the outer carbon shell can avoid the volume expansion of ZnS, thus maintaining the structural stability. Moreover, the carbon shell can not only enhance the conductivity, but also inhibit direct contact between ZnS and the electrolyte during the repeated lithiation/delithiation process. Accordingly, ZnS@C MRs exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance in LIBs. Specifically, a capacity of 392 mA h g−1 is obtained after 500 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. Moreover, a capacity of 162 mA h g−1 is maintained at 3.0 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si has received much attention as an anode material for high performance LIBs due to its high theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the serious volume changes during the lithiation/delitaiation process and poor electrical conductivity result in fast capacitative decay and poor rate performance, which seriously limit its practical applications. Herein, a 2D Si@graphitic carbon (GC) nanosheets composite was synthesized through the facile ball-milling method using NaCl as a bifunctional template, which not only served as a hard template but also stabilized the Si nanoparticles during the fabrication process. In this rationally designed architecture, Si nanoparticles are embedded into carbon nanosheets and encapsulated by a graphitic carbon wall. Therefore, the 2D Si@GC nanosheets composite as an anode for LIBs with outstanding cycling and rate performance, delivered a high capacity of 1450.7 mA h g−1 after 400 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, and maintained high reversible capacity of 877.4 mA h g−1 even at 3.0 A g−1. This outstanding electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the carbon nanosheets effectively buffering the volume change of the Si nanoparticles, graphitic carbon wall improving the electrical conductivity and 2D nanosheets facilitating the transport of Li+ during the charge/discharge process. Thus, the Si@GC nanosheet composite exhibited an outstanding rate and cycling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite of FeS nanoparticles embedded in MoS2/C nanosheets is prepared via a facile and scalable method using NaCl as a hard template. In the multichip structure, FeS nanoparticles are encapsulated in MoS2/C nanosheets. The carbon sheet prevents direct contact of FeS with the electrolyte and buffers volume expansion of FeS during the lithiation/delithiation process. The doping of MoS2 is of benefit to enhance the mechanical behavior of the prepared composite and plays a synergistic effect with FeS. As an anode active material tested in lithium‐ion batteries, the composite displays an excellent rate performance with a specific discharge capacity of 967.3 and 558.9 mAh g−1 at 0.2 and 5 A g−1, respectively. It delivers a specific capacity of 1008.3 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles and 650.8 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 300 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trimetallic sulfides heterostructure coated with N -doped carbon nanorods shows outstanding electrochemical performance. [Display omitted] Metal sulfides have been considered promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), due to their high capacity. However, the poor cycle stability induced by the sluggish kinetics and poor structural stability hampers their practical application in LIBs. In this work, MoS 2 /MnS/SnS trimetallic sulfides heterostructure coated with N -doped carbon nanorods (MMSS@NC) is designed through a simple method involving co-precipitation, metal chelate-assisted reaction, and in-situ sulfurization method. In such designed MMSS@NC, a synergetic effect of heterojunctions and carbon layer is simultaneously constructed, which can significantly improve ionic and electronic diffusion kinetics, as well as maintain the structural stability of MMSS@NC during the repeated lithiation/delithiation process. When applied as anode materials for LIBs, the MMSS@NC composite shows superior long-term cycle performance (1145.0 mAh/g after 1100 cycles at 1.0 A/g), as well as excellent rate performance (565.3 mAh/g at 5.0 A/g). This work provides a unique strategy for the construction of multiple metal sulfide anodes for high-performance LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Green and efficient separation of Fe and Li from spent LiFePO 4 material is achieved. • A new method for recycling waste cation exchange resins is proposed. • Porous C/FeS material is prepared by Fe-saturated waste resin for the first time. • Rich pores and high surface area of P-C/FeS facilitate storage of Li/Na ions. • P-C/FeS anode material shows high electrochemical performances in LIBs and SIBs. With the increased consumption of LiFePO 4 batteries, the number of spent batteries has also increased sharply, and recycling LiFePO 4 batteries has become an urgent task today. Herein, we propose a high-efficient strategy for separation of Fe and Li from leaching solution of spent LiFePO 4 materials by cation exchange resin and a new method for preparation of high-performance anode materials. The adsorption efficiencies of Fe and Li by cation exchange resin were 99.9 % and 5.3 % under the conditions of solid–liquid ratio of 1:5, flow rate of 4 BV/h, and Fe and Li concentrations of 2.88 g/L and 0.44 g/L, respectively. High-purity Li 2 CO 3 could be successfully produced from the effluent of resin adsorption. The Fe-saturated waste cation exchange resin was used to prepare the porous-C/FeS (P-C/FeS) composite with FeS content of 41 %, which was characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM and TGA analysis. The P-C/FeS materials exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance when using as anode materials, which could deliver a high discharge capacity of 372.8 mA g−1 after 500 cycles at 5 A/g for lithium-ion batteries, and a discharge capacity of 246.5 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1.0 A/g for sodium-ion batteries. The in situ XRD analysis demonstrated the transformation reaction between Li+ and FeS. This work offers a green strategy toward the recycling of both spent lithium-ion batteries and waste cation exchange resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Silicon (Si), have been considered as promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), due to its high theoretical specific capacity of 4200 mAh g−1. However, the poor electrical conductivity and large volume change during lithiation/delithiation process, resulting in poor cycling stability, and seriously hindered the practical application in LIBs. Herein, a multiple Si/Fe x Si y @NC/CNTs composite is synthesized and investigated as advanced anode materials for LIBs via a simple one-step method. Such multiple Si/Fe x Si y @NC/CNTs composite has several merits including the Fe x Si y can not only accommodate the huge volume change of Si nanoparticles, but also enhance the conductivity upon discharge/charge process. Furthermore, the in-situ growth CNTs may help establish a long-range conductivity, and the Nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) layer can further improve the conductivity of Si, as well as inhibit the direct contract between electrolyte and Si during cycling process. Accordingly, the Si/Fe x Si y @NC/CNTs-1 exhibits excellent cycling stability (a high capacity of 994.4 mAh g−1 is maintained at 1.0 A g−1 after 600cycles) and outstanding rate capability (a suitable capacity of 441.7 mAh g−1 was obtained even at 5.0 A g−1). Moreover, the assembled full cell can achieve a capacity of 141.4 mAh g−1 after 65 cycles at 1.0C, exhibiting outstanding cycling stability. This work provides a prospective way for the commercial production of high-performance Si-based anode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A rational MoS 2 hierarchical architecture was synthesized by template shaping. • New growth model MoS 2 grains grow in gap of SiO 2 aggregation in hydrothermal reaction. • N-doped carbon was coated on MoS 2 nanosheets by a polymerization of dopamine. • The prepared MoS 2 @NC exhibits a superior rate capability as anode material in LIBs. Abstract A novel hierarchically N-doped carbon coated MoS 2 microflower assembled with nanosheets is synthesized via a SiO 2 -templete assisted hydrothermal method. Differing from the traditional synthesis mechanism of the similar micro-/nanostructure, the wrinkled 2D MoS 2 grains grow in the pore of the assembled SiO 2 aggregates with squeezing action. In the designed macro-/nanostructure, the interconnected network of carbon coated nanosheets increases surface area and decreases transfering resistance for ions and electrons, which is beneficial to conductivity and total electrode capability. The self-supported structure alleviates volume change and improves cycling stability. This synthesized MoS 2 @NC exhibits high capacity and remarkable cycling stability. It shows initial capacity of 1103.6 mAh g−1 and maintains a reversible capacity of 786.4 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Rational design of efficient and durable anode materials is particularly momentous for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). According to this concept, an effective strategy to prepare MoS 2 /N, S co-doped graphene by electrochemical exfoliation combining hydrothermal route is presented. Due to N and S atoms co-doping to graphene sheets, the three-dimensional interconnection of few-layered MoS 2 and graphene, which contribute to relieving the restacking of the two components, accelerating the electrons transport and improving Li/Na storage capacity. As an anode in LIBs, the MoS 2 /NSG-AG demonstrates an up to reversible capacity of 1012 mAh g−1 after cycling 300 times at 0.5 A g−1 and good rate performance with a capability of 1300.7, 1215.2, 1106.3, 1005.5, 892.7 and 727.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.5 A g−1, respectively. Furthermore, it delivers a maximum energy density of 890 Wh kg−1 along with the power density of 130 W kg−1. Meanwhile, when used in SIBs, it displays a good reversible capacity of 320.9 mAh g−1 after cycling 500 times at 0.5 A g−1. The prominent electrochemical performance could be due to the three-dimensional network formed by interconnection of MoS 2 and graphene, co-doping of N and S, considerable surface area and rich mesoporous as well as the expanded layer spacing of graphene and MoS 2. Therefore, this is a facile strategy to obtain high-performance hetero-structured anode and make it great potential applications in LIBs and SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic antimony with high capacity, abundant and a very appropriate reaction potential is considered as a promising anode material for LIBs. But poor cycle performance due to the huge volume expansion during cycling process seriously hinders its practical application. Here, Sb nanoparticles encapsulated into carbon nanosheets were prepared by a facile and scalable method. And the carbon nanosheets can effectively buffer the volume expansion and inhibit the aggregation of Sb nanoparticles during the lithiation/delithiation process. Finally, the as-prepared Sb@C nanosheets display superior rate capability (418 mAh g −1 can be observed even at 5.0 A g −1 ) and long cycle stability (449 mAh g −1 can be maintained after 1000 cycle at 2.0 A g −1 ). Furthermore, when coupled with LiFePO 4 /C cathode, the Sb@C//LiFePO 4 /C full cell also exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core-shell Fe 3 O 4 @Fe nanoparticles embedded into porous N-doped carbon nanosheets was prepared by a facile method with NaCl as hard-template. The three-dimensional carbon architecture built by carbon nanosheets enhance the conductivity of the encapsulated Fe 3 O 4 @Fe nanoparticles and strengthen the structure stability suffering from volume expansion during extraction and insertion of lithium ions. Rich Pores enhance the surface between electrode and electrolyte, which short the transmission path of ions and electrons. The core-shell structure with Fe as core further improves charge transferring inside particles thus lead to high capacity. The as-prepared Fe 3 O 4 @Fe/NC composite displays an irreversible discharge capacity of 839 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 , long cycling life (722.2 mAh g −1 after 500th cycle at 2 A g −1 ) and excellent rate performance (1164.2 and 649.2 mAh g −1 at 1 and 20 A g −1 , respectively). The outstanding electrochemical performance of the Fe 3 O 4 @Fe/NC composite indicates its application potential as anode material for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TAM-Tp and TAM-BPDA 3D COFs thin films are synthesized by thermal evaporation. • TAM-Tp thin films exhibit high ionic transporting capacity. • The assembled Zn–air batteries with TAM-Tp thin films exhibit superior performance. Direct synthesis of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COFs) thin film on substrates is paramount important to their practical application in devices. Here, solvent-free and in situ synthesis of 3D COFs thin films on Zn substrates by thermal evaporation technique are proposed. Two 3D COFs thin films (i.e., TAM-Tp and TAM-BPDA) are constructed by tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)methane (TAM), 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp), and 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxaldehyde (BPDA). The crystallinity of 3D COFs thin films can rival their powders synthesized by the grinding coupled with hydrothermal methods. In particular, TAM-Tp thin film shows superior transporting ability of hydroxide ions and remarkable suppression for Zn dendrites as compared to TAM-BPDA thin film. Therefore, the assembled quasi-solid state and aqueous Zn–air batteries (ZABs) with TAM-Tp thin films exhibit high power densities (63.8 mW cm−2 and 111.6 mW cm−2) and long cyclic lifespans (58 h and 600 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Iodine redox that can effectively recover inactive Li and Li 2 O. • K+ can form a charge shielding effect at low concentrations. • The charge shielding effect can regulate the Li+ uniform deposition and inhibit the growth of Li dendrites. A lithium metal battery (LMBs) is an excellent battery system for advanced electrochemical energy storage. However, the growth of lithium dendrites, the accumulation of inactive lithium, and the side reactions between lithium metal and electrolytes limit the cycling stability of LMBs. Herein, we introduce KI additive into lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)/ether-based electrolyte and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6)/ester-based electrolyte for cycling stability improvement of LMBs. Cu-mesh@Ag||Li half-cell with 0.01 M KI additive exhibits a Coulombic efficiency as high as 98.8 % over 200 cycles. The improved performance due to the electrostatic shielding effect formed by K+ at low concentration and the rapid recovery of inactive lithium by iodine redox. The corresponding Li||Li symmetrical cell shows an outstanding lifespan of 1400 h at 1.0 mA cm−2 with 1.0 mAh cm−2. Meanwhile, in the 1 M LiTFSI + 0.01 M KI electrolyte, the Cu-mesh@Ag-Li||LiFePO 4 (LFP) full cell holds capacity retention of 91.7 % over 800cycles at 2.0 C, the Li||LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811) full cell possesses much better capacity retention of 54 % after 500 cycles at 1.0 C. This work offers a cost-effective proposal to improve application potential with the electrolyte engineering of rechargeable Li metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal sulfides are considered as promising anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high capacity. Among all of these metal sulfides, Tin(II) sulfide (SnS), possessing a unique 2D structure and with high lithium storage capacity, attract more attention as a promising anode for LIBs. However, serious volume change, sluggish kinetics, and low electric conductivity during the charging/discharging process, lead to poor rate capability and fast capacity fading. Herein, a ZnS/SnS@C yolk-shell microspheres (ZSS@NC) is synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process coupled with a PPy coating and sulfidation-in-microsphere strategy. The built-in electric field generated from ZnS/SnS heterostructure benefits the rapid transport of Li-ion and enhances the electric conductivity. Meanwhile, the N-doped carbon further improves the electronic conductivity and provides a robust support architecture, which can mitigate the volume variation of ZnS/SnS during the lithiation/delithiation process. Therefore, the ZnS/SnS@NC delivers high capacity (775.5 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 200 cycles), outstanding rate performance (395.8 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1), and superior long-term cycling performance (571.2 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles). • ZnS/SnS@C microspheres are synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process coupled with a PPy coating. • The built-in electric field generated from ZnS/SnS heterostructure benefits the rapid transport of Li-ion. • The N-doped carbon can improve the electronic conductivity and mitigate the volume variation. • The ZnS/SnS@NC composite presents long-life cycle performance and superior rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of promising anode materials with high capacity represent great challenge for LIBs and SIBs. Zinc sulfide (ZnS), has attracted more attention owing to its high capacity and abundant resource. However, the poor cycle performance have seriously hinder the practical application, which induced by the seriously volume expansion during the lithiation process. In this work, in-situ growth of the ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) on 3D N-doped carbon architecture (ZnS/NC) have been prepared by a simple method. In such a architecture, the N-doped carbon can not only avoid the volume change of ZnS, but also much improve the conductivity of hybrids, as well as facilitate a fast ions/electrons transport. As a result, the ZnS/NC composite exhibits outstanding cycle performance (377.1 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles at 1.0 A g−1) and outstanding rate performance (404 mA h g−1 at 3 A g−1) for LIBs. As for SIBs, a high reversible capacity of 244.1 mAh g−1 is obtained after 900 cycles at 1.0 A g−1, and high even at 3.0 A g−1, high reversible capacity of 241 mAh g−1 is also achieved, demonstrating excellent cycling performance and rate performance. • ZnS nanoparticles decorated on 3D N-doped carbon architecture was synthesized. • The N-doped carbon architecture can maintain structural stability during cycling process. • ZnS/NC composite exhibit high reversible capacity and outstanding cycling performance for LIBs. • ZnS/NC composite demonstrate long-term cycling stability and excellent rate capability for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bi 2 S 3 @NC nanospheres were fabricated via a simple in-situ polymerization coating and sulfidation-in-nanosphere strategy. • The strong Bi-C covalent bond can enhance the electrochemical kinetics, and maintain the structural stability during cycling process. • The Bi 2 S 3 @NC nanospheres demonstrated long-life cycle performance and superior rate capability. Bi 2 S 3 is investigated as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity. However, the poor rate performance and fast capacity decay induced by the huge volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process, which seriously hinder the practical application in LIBs. Herein, Bi 2 S 3 @N-doped carbon (Bi 2 S 3 @NC) nanospheres with strong Bi-C covalent bond are constructed and application in LIBs, which exhibit outstanding rate performance and excellent long-term cycling stability. The high conductivity of N -doped carbon layer and strong Bi-C covalent bond can significantly enhance the electrochemical kinetics, as well as maintain the structural stability during cycling process. Benefiting from these advantages, the Bi 2 S 3 @NC nanospheres provide excellent rate performance (412 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1), and outstanding long-term cycling stability (a high reversible capacity of 510 mA h g−1 is achieved after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). Furthermore, the assembled Bi 2 S 3 @NC//LiFePO 4 @C full cell delivers high capacity of 341 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, and outstanding cycle performance (206 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles), demonstrating great potential for practical application in high performance LIBs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite is synthesized by a facile and scalable method. • Heterostructured SnS-ZnS@C nanoparticles are embedded in EG nanosheets. • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite delivers high specific capacity. • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite shows outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. In this study, ZnS-SnS@C/expanded graphite (ZnS-SnS@C/EG) composite was synthesized by a simple one-step method. In this constructed architecture, the ZnS-SnS heterostructures can not only enhance the charge transfer driving force, but also avoid the agglomeration of ZnS-SnS nanoparticles during the repeated lithiation/delithiation process. Furthermore, the expanded graphite can further enhance the conductivity of electrode and buffer the seriously volume expansion of ZnS-SnS as well as maintained the integrity of the electrode during cycling process. Thus, the ZnS-SnS@C/EG exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability and outstanding rate performance when evaluated as anode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel reconstructed process is proposed to regenerate recycled anode material. • The RG demonstrates high capacity and outstanding cycling performance for LIBs. • The AG shows excellent long-term cycling stability and rate capability for SIBs. Nowadays, recycling cathode materials form spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) has attracted widespread attentions in order to recover highly-valuable metal elements. However, recycling graphite materials is usually discarded because of the low added value and rigorous separation steps. In this study, we investigate the possibility of reusing spent graphite as anode material for LIBs and SIBs after reconstruction process. Benefiting form the structural reconstruction process, which can enhance the interlayer force and reduce the interlayer lattice distance of graphite, lead to the reconstructed graphite with improved and stable layered structure. When used as anode materials for LIBs, the reconstructed graphite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance. As a result, the reconstructed graphite can deliver high capacity of 427.9 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 C, and also display a outstanding rate capability (a capacity of 114.9 mAh g−1 is achieved at 3 C). Furthermore, the acid-treated graphite can be directly used as anode material for SIBs, which exhibit high reversible capacity of 127 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, and also exhibits excellent long cycle life (a reversible capacity of 106.8 mAh g−1 is achieved after 500 cycles at 2000 mA g−1 with high capacity retention of 90.98%). The spent graphite materials is reconstructed by two steps including acid-treated and carbon-thermal reduction structural repair used as anode material for LIBs. The acid-treat graphite can be directly used as anode material for SIBs,which can achieve high reversible capacity and long-term cycling performance. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe 3 O 4 is considered as attractive promising anode material for LIBs due to its high lithium storage capacity, abundance, low cost and eco-friendly features. However, the tremendous volume expansion during the lithiation process induce pulverization of Fe 3 O 4 , lead to rapid capacity loss and poor cycling stability, which seriously hinder the practical application in LIBs. Here, unique Fe 3 O 4 @NC yolk-shell hollow spheres are designed and application in LIBs. This unique structure combines the advantage of hollow and yolk-shelled structures, which can effectively avoid the volume expansion of Fe 3 O 4 during the lithiation process, and shorten the Li+/electron diffusion pathways. Therefore, the Fe 3 O 4 @NC HSs deliver superior cycling and rate performance when evaluated as anode material for LIBs. High reversible capacity of 755.8 mAh g−1 is achieved at 2.0 A g−1 over 500 cycles when application in half cell. Moreover, the Fe 3 O 4 @NC HSs||LiFePO 4 @C full cell exhibit high capacity (456.1 mAh g−1 is retained at 0.2 A g−1 over 50 cycles), outstanding rate capability (325 mAh g−1 is achieved even at 2.0 A g−1) and long-term cycling performance (251.1 mAh g−1 is maintained after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). Image 1 • Fe 3 O 4 @NC yolk-shell hollow spheres are successfully designed and fabricated. • The N-doped carbon shell and hollow structure can maintain structural stability during cycling process. • Fe 3 O 4 @NC HSs demonstrate long-term cycling stability and excellent rate capability. • Fe 3 O 4 @NC HSs exhibit high reversible capacity and excellent long-term cycling performance in full cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]