Carbon surface functionalities and SEI formation during Li intercalation

This review aims to (1) briefly summarize the use of carbon as intercalation materials in electrochemical energy storage and the development of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the surface of the carbon electrode, (2) discuss the impacts of surface functional groups on the physical and electronic properties of carbon materials and the performance of electrochemical energy storage devices, (3) analyze the specific contributions that the most abundant oxygen and nitrogen carbon-surface functionality, in particular surface functional group hybridization and the influence that Lewis basicity/acidity, have towards promoting Li-ion charge storage and (4) examine the impact that those heteroatom functionalities have on the formation of the SEI layer.