US Patent 11289697 Graphite protected anode active material particles for lithium batteries

Provided is an anode particulate or a solid mass of particulates for a lithium battery, the particulate comprising a graphite matrix and a single or a plurality of carbon foam-protected primary particles of an anode active material embedded or dispersed in the graphite matrix, wherein the primary particles of anode active material have a volume Va, the carbon foam contains pores having a pore volume Vp, and the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.3/1.0 to 5.0/1.0 and wherein the carbon foam is physically or chemically connected to both the graphite matrix and the primary particles of the anode active material. The carbon foam is preferably reinforced with a high-strength material.