High‐Efficiency Lithium‐Ion Anodes Based on Melt‐Impregnated Bismuth in Porous Nickel Frameworks

The demand for sustainable and efficient energy storage systems is continually rising. Researchers are actively exploring electrode materials with advanced properties. In lithium‐ion batteries, bismuth is emerging as a promising candidate (as a negative electrode) with impressive electrochemical properties (385 mAh g ⁻¹ , 3400 mAh cm ⁻³ ), surpassing graphite (372 mAh g ⁻¹ , 780 mAh cm ⁻³ ). However, the commercialization of bismuth has faced significant hurdles due to severe volume expansion (200%) and degradation during the lithiation process. This study introduces an innovative approach that uses melt‐impregnation of bismuth into porous nickel (Ni) current collectors to enhance the sustainability and performance of negative electrodes, with the Ni scaffold providing physical buffering. The resulting composite structure includes pure bismuth and a Ni–Bi intermetallic, which provides a combination of active and inactive chemical buffering. Due to this unique arrangement, the electrode maintains its structural integrity, delivering an average of   395 mAh g ⁻¹ over 100 cycles and demonstrating a specific capacity of   290 mAh g ⁻¹ after 100 cycles. This advancement marks a significant step forward in improving the electrochemical performance of lithium‐ion batteries.