Graphite,
an essential component of energy storage devices, is
traditionally synthesized via an energy-intensive thermal process
(Acheson process) at ∼3300 K. However, the battery performance
of such graphite is abysmal under fast-charging conditions, which
is deemed essential for the propulsion of electric vehicles to the
next level. Herein, a low-temperature electrochemical transformation
approach has been demonstrated to afford a highly crystalline nano-graphite
with the capability of tuning interlayer spacing to enhance the lithium
diffusion kinetics in molten salts at 850 °C. The essence of
our strategy lies in the effective electrocatalytic transformation
of carbon to graphite at a lower temperature that could significantly
increase the energy savings, reduce the cost, shorten the synthesis
time, and replace the traditional graphite synthesis. The resulting
graphite exhibits high purity, crystallinity, a high degree of graphitization,
and a nanoflake architecture that all ensure fast lithium diffusion
kinetics (∼2.0 × 10–8 cm2 s–1) through its nanosheet. Such unique features
enable outstanding electrochemical performance (∼200 mA h g–1 at 5C for 1000 cycles, 1C = 372 mA g–1) as a fast-charging anode for lithium-ion batteries. This finding
paves the way to make high energy-density fast-charging batteries
that could boost electromobility.