Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted increasing attention as a sustainable power source due to the rapid growth in mobile electronics and electric automobile markets, driven by increasing environmental awareness [1-4]. The electrochemical performance of LIBs is strongly dependent on the active electrode materials. Therefore, their continuing advanced development is of key importance to meet the expectations of the market [5-7]. Graphite, commonly used in LIB anodes, forms binary graphite intercalation compounds with the formula LiC6, via the intercalation of lithium ions at 0.1 V vs. Li+/Li, corresponding to a capacity of ~372 mAh g–1 [8,9]. The favorable energy density and reversible charge/discharge cycles of graphite have contributed to the commercial success of conventional LIBs. Nevertheless, the new demands of state-of-the art applications require better energy and power characteristics, requiring the development of alternative anode materials that can surpass the electrochemical performance of graphite.