Advances in coating strategies for graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries

As a critical component for achieving sustainable energy systems, secondary lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the dominant electrochemical energy storage technology. Graphite has been widely employed as an anode material in rechargeable LIBs, where the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on graphite particles plays a pivotal role in realizing optimal Li⁺ ion storage performance. However, solvent co-intercalation with Li⁺ ions leads to volumetric expansion, unstable SEI formation, irreversible capacity loss, structural layer collapse, and even lithium dendrite formation. To overcome these challenges, surface coating modification has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance graphite anode performance. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in coating materials (including carbon materials, lithium-ion conductors, metal compounds, and polymers) fabricated through vapor-phase or liquid-phase deposition. Enormous research investigations demonstrate that rationally designed coating layers prevent direct electrolyte/graphite contact to inhibit solvent decomposition, regulate lithium-ion flux distribution to promote uniform deposition, and function as artificial SEI components to improve interphasial stability. This review provides both theoretical insights and practical considerations for future research and development of advanced graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.