Conducting polymer network/graphene-protected negative electrode for a lithium-ion battery

A layer of conducting polymer network/graphene-protected anode particles for a lithium battery anode, said layer comprising a mixture of multiple graphene sheets and multiple primary particles of an anode active material that are dispersed in or bonded by a conducting polymer network, wherein the primary particles have a diameter or thickness from 0.5 nm to 20 m and occupy from 30% to 98% by weight, the graphene sheets occupy from 0.01% to 25% by weight, and the conducting polymer network occupies from 1% to 30% by weight based on the total mixture weight and wherein the graphene sheets and the conducting polymer network together form dual conducting pathways for both electrons and lithium ions, wherein said conducting polymer network comprises a polyaniline hydrogel, polypyrrole hydrogel, or polythiophene hydrogel.