Lithium Intercalation Materials for Battery Prepared by Sol–Gel Method

Abstract

Presently, sustainable energy as well as efficient and economical energy conversion and storage technologies has become an important work in light of the rising environmental issues and dependence on portable and uninterrupted power sources. Electrical energy storage technologies play a significant role in the demand for green and sustainable energy. Rechargeable batteries, such as Li-ion batteries, reversibly convert electrical and chemical energy via redox reactions, thus storing the energy as chemical potential in their electrodes. The energy density of a rechargeable battery is determined collectively by the specific capacity of electrodes and the working voltage of the cell, which is the differential potential between the cathode and the anode. In this chapter, a description of electrodes synthesized by sol--gel method is discussed. In particular, the cathode and anode materials that convert electricity and chemical potential through electrochemical intercalation reactions are investigated. In addition, enhanced Li+ intercalation capacities, improved rate capabilities, and better cyclic stability were achieved by constructing micro- or nanostructures, controlling materials crystallinity, and introducing desired defects on the surface and/or in the bulk via sol--gel processing.