Niobium-based oxide anodes toward fast and safe energy storage: a review

Fast energy storage performance is strongly considered as one of the core techniques for next-generation battery techniques. However, the lack of high-performance electrode materials, especially high-rate and safe anode materials, is still a great challenge for lithium-ion batteries and other battery systems. Niobium (Nb)-based oxides have drawn increasing interests as a potential choice of anode materials with high safety and fast energy storage kinetics. This review discusses and summarizes the recent progress and challenges of binary and ternary Nb-based oxides for fast energy storage techniques. The crystal structure, electrochemical reaction mechanisms, performances and various optimization strategies based on synthesis methods, nanostructure designs, and compositing are comprehensively reviewed. An objective insight on both advantages and shortages of Nb-based oxides as well as their prospects for further development are provided.