Electrochemical exchange for the fabrication of a layered anode material

A method for forming a layered anode material, the method comprises:

• removing cations from a precursor material using electrochemical extraction, wherein the precursor material is a layered ionic compound and removal of the cations creates a two-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of interlayer spaces or voids created by the removal of the cation;
• contacting the two-dimensional structure and an electrolyte;
• and
• applying a bias and/or current as the two-dimensional structure contacts the electrolyte so as to cause lithium ions (Li+) to move into the interlayer spaces or voids created by the removal of the cations thereby forming the layered anode material.

A method for forming a layered anode material, the method comprises:

• contacting a precursor material and a first electrolyte, wherein the precursor material is a layered ionic compound represented by MX2, where M is one of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and X is one of silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and boron (B);
• applying a first bias and/or current as the precursor material contacts the first electrolyte so as to remove cations from the precursor material creating a two-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of interlayer spaces or voids created by the removal of the cation;
• contacting the two-dimensional structure and a second electrolyte;
• and
• applying a second bias and/or current as the two-dimensional structure contacts the second electrolyte so as to cause lithium ions (Li+) to move into the interlayer spaces or voids created by the removal of the cations thereby forming the layered anode material.