ABSTRACT
In the past few decades, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted considerable attention as power sources for portable electronics and electrical vehicles (EVs). They have several advantages over other secondary battery technologies such as nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH), including high operating voltage, high energy density, light weight, long cycle life, and zero-to-low memory effect. LIBs are currently one of the most commonly used rechargeable batteries for small portable electronic devices. However, in order to extend their effective use as large-scale energy storage systems for EVs and renewable energy, there is an urgent need to further increase the energy density, power density, and cycle life while retaining safety and cost at an affordable range. This presents knowledge and materials challenges. The materials challenge requires development of a firm understanding of the electrode and electrolyte materials, and the structure and chemistry at their interfaces that will allow us to identify and assess alternative energy storage strategies, in addition to improvements of existing technologies.
