Graphite-carbohydrate active material particles with carbonized carbohydrates

Composite anode material particles comprising:

• anode material cores that are at least partly de-oxidized, and
• at least partially porous carbon-graphite shells over the anode material cores,
• wherein the at least partial porous graphite shells are configured to retain electronic conductivity to the anode material cores through the graphite of the shell while providing ionic conductivity through pores of the porous shells;
• and to provide a buffering zone that receives lithium ions from an interface of the composite anode active material particles with an electrolyte, partially reduces the received lithium ions, and enables the partially reduced lithium ions to move into an inner zone of the composite anode active material particles for lithiation therein.