Abstract
Li-ion batteries are the key enabling technology in portable electronics applications, and such batteries are also getting a foothold in mobile platforms and stationary energy storage technologies recently. To accelerate the penetration of Li-ion batteries in these markets, safety, cost, cycle life, energy density and rate capability of the Li-ion batteries should be improved. The Li-ion batteries in use today take advantage of the composite materials already. For instance, cathode, anode and separator are all composite materials. However, there is still plenty of room for advancing the Li-ion batteries by utilizing nanocomposite materials. By manipulating the Li-ion battery materials at the nanoscale, it is possible to achieve unprecedented improvement in the material properties. After presenting the current status and the operating principles of the Li-ion batteries briefly, this review discusses the recent developments in nanocomposite materials for cathode, anode, binder and separator components of the Li-ion batteries.
Highlights
Rechargeable batteries are one of the key technologies in today’s information-rich and mobile society
A typical composite battery electrode includes active material, conductive carbon additive and a binder. Each of these components is vital to the operation of a rechargeable battery, and their performances can be improved by utilizing nanocomposites
A typical Li-ion rechargeable battery cell is composed of a cathode, an anode, a separator filled with an electrolyte and the current collectors for both anode and cathode
Summary
Rechargeable (rechargeable battery and secondary battery terms are used interchangeably throughout this article) batteries are one of the key technologies in today’s information-rich and mobile society. The most important application for rechargeable batteries has been the starter-ignition-lighting (SLI) batteries in motor vehicles. Electric vehicles (EV) has been driving the further expansion of the rechargeable battery market, Li-ion batteries. Large-scale utilization of rechargeable batteries for peak shaving and load leveling applications in the power grid has been envisioned by many, but is still in very early phases [1]. Apart from the aforementioned applications, rechargeable batteries are critical for e-bikes and power tools [2]. Considering the importance of the rechargeable batteries in a variety of applications, the future of these batteries looks brighter than ever. Rechargeable batteries comprise three quarters of the global battery market, and the most important rechargeable battery chemistries are lithium-ion (Li-ion), lead acid, nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (Ni–Cd) as shown in Figure 1 [3].
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