Polymeric and Chelate Gel Precursors for Transition Metal Oxide and Silicon-Based Anodes in Lithium–Ion Batteries

The growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage systems has intensified research on advanced materials for lithium–ion batteries (LIBs). Gel-based synthesis routes—particularly polymeric and chelating gel techniques—have emerged as powerful methods for designing lithium–ion battery (LIB) anode materials with tailored microstructures, composition uniformity, and enhanced electrochemical performance. These methods facilitate the transformation of solution-phase precursors into homogeneous and finely structured materials, enabling precise tuning of physicochemical properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of polymeric and chelate gel synthesis routes, highlighting their ability in controlling particle size, morphology, and phase purity. Their applicability to a wide range of anode materials, including transition metal oxides and silicon-based composites, is discussed. The manuscript highlights LIBs anode material developments via gel precursor chemistry, structure–property relationships, and future directions toward scalable and sustainable electrode manufacturing.