Progress in electrode and electrolyte materials: path to all-solid-state Li-ion batteries

Abstract

This review presents a brief scenario regarding the development of cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes for next-generation Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors for future energy technologies. The specific capacity and power density are two prime requirements for energy storage devices, which are mainly decided by the microstructure and composition of electrodes. Electrolyte, which is the highway for ions between electrodes, plays a crucial role in developing advanced batteries. Miniaturized electrode-based LIBs with high energy storage densities are a smart approach toward huge future energy demands, where nanomaterials play a crucial role. The ultra-large surface of nanostructure-based electrodes offers improved electrochemical performance per unit electrode area and/or material mass. Porous nanostructured material-based electrodes/electrolytes provide fast and shortened transportation pathways for carriers, facilitating improved reaction kinetics. This review presents the fabrication and electrochemical performances of different nanomaterial-based LIBs, including their critical challenges such as thermal runaway and dendrite growth. An overview of all-solid-state Li-ion batteries (ASSLIB), with the potential to bridge the gap between the laboratory and market, is presented. Finally, the status, challenges, and outlook for enhancing the performance of cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and their integration in ASSLIB are briefly covered for the attention of the wider functional and energy material communities.