Engineering multidimensional carbon networks for high-rate and stable graphite anodes

Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries demand graphite anodes with enhanced reaction kinetics and robust structural stability. However, conventional graphite suffers from sluggish lithium-ion transport and interfacial instability during high-rate operation, and single-component carbon modifications generally fail to simultaneously optimize electronic conductivity, ion diffusion, and interfacial integrity. Herein, a hierarchical carbon architecture is engineered by integrating graphene nanosheets and carbon nanotube networks into pitch-derived carbon-coated graphite. The synergistic integration of two-dimensional graphene and one-dimensional carbon nanotubes establishes a highly efficient electron/ion transport network, which accelerates lithium-ion migration and bolsters interfacial stability. Consequently, the engineered anode delivers exceptional rate capability and long-term cycling performance. When paired with a LiFePO₄ cathode, the assembled full cell demonstrates outstanding high-rate cycling stability, retaining a reversible capacity of 98.8 mAh g^-1 with an 87.8% capacity retention after 600 cycles at 4C within a voltage window of 2.5-4.0 V. This work presents a highly effective strategy for the design of high-performance graphite anodes through multidimensional carbon engineering.