Abstract:
To meet the high-capacity requirements of lithium-ion battery anodes, porous structures are needed to mitigate challenges such as volume expansion and material pulverization. This paper provides a systematic review of the main process types and recent advancements in the preparation of porous anode materials for lithium-ion batteries using the dealloying method, covering chemical, physical, and electrochemical methods, as well as novel hybrid process principles, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. The chemical method selectively dissolves reactive metals through liquid-phase etching; it is mild yet highly effective, focusing on volume expansion buffering and ion transport efficiency. Physical methods exploit differences in the melting points or vapor pressures of alloy components. By volatilizing low-boiling-point metals in a vacuum or vapor-phase environment, they form porous structures. These methods offer the advantages of being environmentally friendly, recyclable, and suitable for large-scale production, thereby enhancing the intrinsic properties and environmental compatibility of the materials. Electrochemical methods drive dealloying through an applied potential and are suitable for the rapid and controlled design of functionalized structures. This novel composite process integrates a series of steps—such as electroplating, rolling, annealing, electrochemical dealloying, and chemical dealloying followed by electrodeposition—to achieve synergistic improvements in multidimensional properties. It simultaneously enhances structural precision, environmental sustainability, and scalability to deliver low-expansion, high-performance anodes. Comprehensive comparisons indicate that physical methods and integrated composite processes offer distinct advantages in terms of environmental friendliness, controllability, and industrialization potential, making them the most promising practical routes currently available.