Li-ion batteries have transformed portable electronics and will play a key role in the electrification of transport. However, the highest energy storage possible for Li-ion batteries is insufficient for the long-term needs of society, for example, extended-range electric vehicles. To go beyond the horizon of Li-ion batteries is a formidable challenge; there are few options. Here we consider two: Li-air (O(2)) and Li-S. The energy that can be stored in Li-air (based on aqueous or non-aqueous electrolytes) and Li-S cells is compared with Li-ion; the operation of the cells is discussed, as are the significant hurdles that will have to be overcome if such batteries are to succeed. Fundamental scientific advances in understanding the reactions occurring in the cells as well as new materials are key to overcoming these obstacles. The potential benefits of Li-air and Li-S justify the continued research effort that will be needed.

Li-O2 and Li-S batteries with high energy storage.

Li-ion battery materials: present and future

Rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium (Li) metal is an ideal anode material for rechargeable batteries due to its extremely high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g−1), low density (0.59 g cm−3) and the lowest negative electrochemical potential (−3.040 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode). Unfortunately, uncontrollable dendritic Li growth and limited Coulombic efficiency during Li deposition/stripping inherent in these batteries have prevented their practical applications over the past 40 years. With the emergence of post-Li-ion batteries, safe and efficient operation of Li metal anodes has become an enabling technology which may determine the fate of several promising candidates for the next generation energy storage systems, including rechargeable Li–air batteries, Li–S batteries, and Li metal batteries which utilize intercalation compounds as cathodes. In this paper, various factors that affect the morphology and Coulombic efficiency of Li metal anodes have been analyzed. Technologies utilized to characterize the morphology of Li deposition and the results obtained by modelling of Li dendrite growth have also been reviewed. Finally, recent development and urgent need in this field are discussed.

Lithium metal anodes for rechargeable batteries

Metal Oxides and Oxysalts as Anode Materials for Li Ion Batteries

C @ S nanocomposites based on mesoporous hollow carbon capsules were prepared by a template approach. Their excellent properties as a cathode material in a lithium secondary battery of S-sequestration of elemental sulfur in the carbon capsules, a restricted polysulfide shuttling and an improved electron transport on sulfur are attributed.

Porous Hollow Carbon@Sulfur Composites for High‐Power Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The rechargeable aluminum-ion battery

We demonstrate a facile route for the scalable synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles with controlled carbon nanocoating for use as high-capacity anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. SnO2 nanoparticles with size in the range of 6 −10 nm are produced via a simple hydrothermal method with high yield, which are then encapsulated by a carbon layer through a modified method. The weight fraction of carbon present in the final product can be readily tuned by varying the concentration of glucose used during the hydrothermal coating process. A systematic study has been carried out to examine the effect of carbon content upon lithium-ion battery performance. It is found that the optimized SnO2@carbon nanoparticles manifest excellent lithium storage properties. As an example, SnO2@carbon with 8 wt % carbon can deliver a capacity as high as 631 mA h g−1 even after 100 charge/discharge cycles at a current drain of 400 mA g−1.

SnO2 Nanoparticles with Controlled Carbon Nanocoating as High-Capacity Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

This work was supported by Award No. KUS-C1-018-02, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Facilities available through the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR), a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center of the National Science Foundation (DMR-0079992) were used for this study.

/pdf/ionic-liquid-tethered-nanoparticles-hybrid-electrolytes-41h3kepa1f.pdf

Ionic‐Liquid‐Tethered Nanoparticles: Hybrid Electrolytes

Composites of MoS2 and amorphous carbon are grown and self-assembled into hierarchical nanostructures via a hydrothermal method. Application of the composites as high-energy electrodes for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is investigated. The critical roles of nanostructuring of MoS2 and carbon composition on lithium-ion battery performance are highlighted.

N. Jayaprakash

Papers

Porous Hollow Carbon@Sulfur Composites for High‐Power Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The rechargeable aluminum-ion battery

SnO2 Nanoparticles with Controlled Carbon Nanocoating as High-Capacity Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Ionic‐Liquid‐Tethered Nanoparticles: Hybrid Electrolytes

Self-assembled MoS2–carbon nanostructures: influence of nanostructuring and carbon on lithium battery performance