Understanding Conversion-Type Electrodes for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract

CONSPECTUS: The need/desire to lower the consumption of fossil fuels and its environmental consequences has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. A global effort has been undertaken to develop advanced renewable energy generation and especially energy storage technologies, as they would enable a dramatic increase in the effective and efficient use of renewable (and often intermittent) energy sources. The development of electrical energy storage (EES) technologies with high energy and power densities, long life, low cost, and safe use represents a challenge from both the fundamental science and technological application points of view. While the advent and broad deployment of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has dramatically changed the EES landscape, their performance metrics need to be greatly enhanced to keep pace with the ever-increasing demands imposed by modern consumer electronics and especially the emerging automotive markets. Current battery technologies are mostly based on the use of a transition metal oxide cathode (e.g., LiCoO2 , LiFePO4 , or LiNiMnCoO2 ) and a graphite anode, both of which depend on intercalation/insertion of lithium ions for operation. 'While the cathode material currently limits the battery capacity and overall energy density, there is a great d