A Review on High-Capacity and High-Voltage Cathodes for Next-Generation Lithium-ion Batteries

Abstract

lithium-ion battery (LIB) is at the forefront of energy research. Over four decades of research and development have led electric mobility to a reality. Numerous materials capable of storing lithium reversibly, either as an anode or as a cathode, are reported on a daily basis. But very few among them, such as LiCoO 2, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) variants (LiNi 0.33 Mn 0.33 Co 0.33 O 2, LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2, LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2, and LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2), LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2, LiFePO 4, graphite, and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 are successful at commercial scale. Future energy requirements demand a push in the energy density of LIBs to meet the criteria of electric aviation, power trains, stationary grids, etc. All these applications have different needs which cannot be satisfied by a particular set of materials. Therefore, various materials need to be utilized in widespread fields of battery applications in the near future. This review discusses potential cathode materials that show a capacity of ≥ 250 mAh g -1 (Li-rich oxides, conversion materials, etc.) or average voltage of ≥ 4 V vs. Li + /Li (polyanionic materials, spinel oxides, etc.). Failure mechanisms, challenges, and way-outs to overcome all the issues are put forward to determine commercial viability.