Technological improvements in rechargeable solid-state batteries are being driven by an ever-increasing demand for portable electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries are the systems of choice, offering high energy density, flexible and lightweight design, and longer lifespan than comparable battery technologies. We present a brief historical review of the development of lithium-based rechargeable batteries, highlight ongoing research strategies, and discuss the challenges that remain regarding the synthesis, characterization, electrochemical performance and safety of these systems.

Issues and challenges facing rechargeable lithium batteries

Ni-rich layered oxides and Li-rich layered oxides are topics of much research interest as cathodes for Li-ion batteries due to their low cost and higher discharge capacities compared to those of LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4. However, Ni-rich layered oxides have several pitfalls, including difficulty in synthesizing a well-ordered material with all Ni3+ ions, poor cyclability, moisture sensitivity, a thermal runaway reaction, and formation of a harmful surface layer caused by side reactions with the electrolyte. Recent efforts towards Ni-rich layered oxides have centered on optimizing the composition and processing conditions to obtain controlled bulk and surface compositions to overcome the capacity fade. Li-rich layered oxides also have negative aspects, including oxygen loss from the lattice during first charge, a large first cycle irreversible capacity loss, poor rate capability, side reactions with the electrolyte, low tap density, and voltage decay during extended cycling. Recent work on Li-rich layered oxides has focused on understanding the surface and bulk structures and eliminating the undesirable properties. Followed by a brief introduction, an account of recent developments on the understanding and performance gains of Ni-rich and Li-rich layered oxide cathodes is provided, along with future research directions.

Nickel-Rich and Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes: Progress and Perspectives

Performance of layered Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 as cathode for Li-ion batteries

The structure, synthesis, and electrochemical behavior of layered for 5/12, and 1/2 are reported for the first time. is derived from or by substitution of and by while maintaining all the remaining Mn atoms in the 4+ oxidation state. with can deliver steady capacities of 150 and 160 mAh/g at 30 and 55°C, respectively, between 3.0 and 4.4 V using a current density of 30 mA/g. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments on charged electrodes of for indicate that this material should be safer than with 5/12, and 1/2 can be cycled between 2.0 and 4.6 V to give capacities of about 200, 180, and 160 mAh/g, respectively, at 30°C. with gives a capacity of 220 mAh/g at 55°C between 2.0 and 4.6 V using a current density of 30 mA/g. © 2001 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Layered Cathode Materials Li [ Ni x Li ( 1 / 3 − 2x / 3 ) Mn ( 2 / 3 − x / 3 ) ] O 2 for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Issue and challenges facing rechargeable thin film lithium batteries

A new class of materials has been synthesized. The compound showed a reversible capacity of and stable cycling was demonstrated. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed much improved thermal stability of these materials in their totally charged states in contact with electrolyte. The exothermic peak at in a charged electrode containing was drastically reduced asx increases in . No exotherm was observed below for in its totally charged state. We believe that the use of these materials will improve the overall safety of batteries. ©1998 The Electrochemical Society

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1.1390656/pdf

M. V. Yakovleva

Papers

Novel LiNi1 − x Ti x / 2Mg x / 2 O 2 Compounds as Cathode Materials for Safer Lithium‐Ion Batteries