Lithium chemical portable#

It is timely to take a deep look and reflect on the evolution of lithium-ion battery cathode chemistry, which is the purpose of this review article. It is interesting to realize that all the three leading oxide cathode chemistries (layered, spinel, and polyanion families) currently in use originated from John Goodenough’s group at the University of Oxford in England and at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) in the United States. Among the various components involved in a lithium-ion cell, the cathodes (positive electrodes) currently limit the energy density and dominate the battery cost.

Discovery of new materials and a deepening of our fundamental understanding of their structure-composition-property-performance relationships have played a major role in advancing the field. The development of lithium-ion battery technology to date is the result of a concerted effort on basic solid-state chemistry of materials for nearly half a century now. The award of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino emboldens this assertion. They are also anticipated to be critical for enabling a widespread replacement of fossil-fuel-based power generation with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, providing a cleaner, more sustainable planet. They are now on the verge of transforming the transportation sector with electric cars, buses, and bikes. Lithium-ion batteries have become an integral part of our daily life, powering the cellphones and laptops that have revolutionized the modern society 1, 2, 3. This review article provides a reflection on how fundamental studies have facilitated the discovery, optimization, and rational design of three major categories of oxide cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, and a personal perspective on the future of this important area. With the award of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to the development of lithium-ion batteries, it is enlightening to look back at the evolution of the cathode chemistry that made the modern lithium-ion technology feasible. Basic science research, involving solid-state chemistry and physics, has been at the center of this endeavor, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. The emergence and dominance of lithium-ion batteries are due to their higher energy density compared to other rechargeable battery systems, enabled by the design and development of high-energy density electrode materials.

They are now enabling vehicle electrification and beginning to enter the utility industry.

Lithium chemical portable#

Lithium-ion batteries have aided the portable electronics revolution for nearly three decades.