The challenges for further development of Li rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles are reviewed. Most important is safety, which requires development of a nonflammable electrolyte with either a larger window between its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) or a constituent (or additive) that can develop rapidly a solid/ electrolyte-interface (SEI) layer to prevent plating of Li on a carbon anode during a fast charge of the battery. A high Li-ion conductivity (σ Li > 10 ―4 S/cm) in the electrolyte and across the electrode/ electrolyte interface is needed for a power battery. Important also is an increase in the density of the stored energy, which is the product of the voltage and capacity of reversible Li insertion/extraction into/from the electrodes. It will be difficult to design a better anode than carbon, but carbon requires formation of an SEI layer, which involves an irreversible capacity loss. The design of a cathode composed of environmentally benign, low-cost materials that has its electrochemical potential μ C well-matched to the HOMO of the electrolyte and allows access to two Li atoms per transition-metal cation would increase the energy density, but it is a daunting challenge. Two redox couples can be accessed where the cation redox couples are "pinned" at the top of the O 2p bands, but to take advantage of this possibility, it must be realized in a framework structure that can accept more than one Li atom per transition-metal cation. Moreover, such a situation represents an intrinsic voltage limit of the cathode, and matching this limit to the HOMO of the electrolyte requires the ability to tune the intrinsic voltage limit. Finally, the chemical compatibility in the battery must allow a long service life.

Challenges for Rechargeable Li Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have had a profound impact on our daily life, but inherent limitations make it difficult for Li-ion chemistries to meet the growing demands for portable electronics, electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. Therefore, chemistries beyond Li-ion are currently being investigated and need to be made viable for commercial applications. The use of metallic Li is one of the most favoured choices for next-generation Li batteries, especially Li-S and Li-air systems. After falling into oblivion for several decades because of safety concerns, metallic Li is now ready for a revival, thanks to the development of investigative tools and nanotechnology-based solutions. In this Review, we first summarize the current understanding on Li anodes, then highlight the recent key progress in materials design and advanced characterization techniques, and finally discuss the opportunities and possible directions for future development of Li anodes in applications.

Reviving the lithium metal anode for high-energy batteries

Solid-state electrolytes are attracting increasing interest for electrochemical energy storage technologies. In this Review, we provide a background overview and discuss the state of the art, ion-transport mechanisms and fundamental properties of solid-state electrolyte materials of interest for energy storage applications. We focus on recent advances in various classes of battery chemistries and systems that are enabled by solid electrolytes, including all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries and emerging solid-electrolyte lithium batteries that feature cathodes with liquid or gaseous active materials (for example, lithium–air, lithium–sulfur and lithium–bromine systems). A low-cost, safe, aqueous electrochemical energy storage concept with a ‘mediator-ion’ solid electrolyte is also discussed. Advanced battery systems based on solid electrolytes would revitalize the rechargeable battery field because of their safety, excellent stability, long cycle lives and low cost. However, great effort will be needed to implement solid-electrolyte batteries as viable energy storage systems. In this context, we discuss the main issues that must be addressed, such as achieving acceptable ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability and mechanical properties of the solid electrolytes, as well as a compatible electrolyte/electrode interface. This Review details recent advances in battery chemistries and systems enabled by solid electrolytes, including all-solid-state lithium-ion, lithium–air, lithium–sulfur and lithium–bromine batteries, as well as an aqueous battery concept with a mediator-ion solid electrolyte.

Lithium battery chemistries enabled by solid-state electrolytes

The development of novel materials is a fundamental focal point of chemical research; and this interest is mandated by advancements in all areas of industry and technology. A good example of the synergism between scientific discovery and technological development is the electronics industry, where discoveries of new semiconducting materials resulted in the evolution from vacuum tubes to diodes and transistors, and eventually to miniature chips. The progression of this technology led to the development * To whom correspondence should be addressed. B.L.C.: (504) 2801385 (phone); (504) 280-3185 (fax); bcushing@uno.edu (e-mail). C.J.O.: (504)280-6846(phone);(504)280-3185(fax);coconnor@uno.edu (e-mail). 3893 Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 3893−3946

http://depa.fquim.unam.mx/amyd//archivero/FidelmarLechugaSanabria_4940.pdf

Recent advances in the liquid-phase syntheses of inorganic nanoparticles.

Fast Lithium Ion Conduction in Garnet‐Type Li7La3Zr2O12

The Binary Rare Earth Oxides.

Solid electrolytes based on lithium titanium phosphate were prepared, and their phase, porosity of the sintered pellets, and electrical conductivity were studied. The conductivity was increased and the porosity decreased greatly by partially replacing Ti4+ and P5+ in with M3+ and Si4+ions, respectively. The maximum conductivity at 298 K is for . The conductivity was considerably increased by the mixing of binders such as or with . The main reason for the conductivity enhancement of these electrolytes seems to be attributable to the increase of the sintered pellet density with the enhancement of the lithium concentration at the grain boundaries.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1.2086597/pdf

Ionic Conductivity of Solid Electrolytes Based on Lithium Titanium Phosphate

High lithium ionic conductivity was obtained in Li/sub 1+X/M/sub X/Ti/sub 2-X/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ (M=Al, Sc, Y, and La) systems. Lithium titanium phosphate, LiTi/sub 2/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/, is composed of both TiO/sub 6/ octahedra and PO/sub 4/ tetrahedra, which are linked by corners to form a three dimensional network, with a space group R3-barC. Some workers have already described that the conductivity increased considerably if Ti/sup 4+/ in LiTi/sub 2/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ was substituted by slightly larger cations such as Ga/sup 3+/(1),Sc/sup 3+/(2), and In/sup 3+/(3,4). These results are similar to each other because of their close ionic radii. In this communication, substitution effects of Ti/sup 4+/ in LiTi/sub 2/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ by various ions (Al/sup 3+/, Sc/sup 3+/, Y/sup 3+/, and La/sup 3+/) on their conductivities are reported.

Nobuhito Imanaka

Papers

The Binary Rare Earth Oxides.

Ionic Conductivity of Solid Electrolytes Based on Lithium Titanium Phosphate

Ionic conductivity of the lithium titanium phosphate (Li/sub 1+x/M/sub x/Ti/sub 2-x/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/, M=Al, Sc, Y, and La) systems

Fast Li⊕ Conducting Ceramic Electrolytes

Electrical property and sinterability of LiTi2(PO4)3 mixed with lithium salt (Li3PO4 or Li3BO3)