Performance Of Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Polythiophene side chain chemistry and its impact on advanced composite anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

In the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the design of polymer binders, particularly through manipulation of side-chain chemistry, plays a pivotal role in optimizing electrode stability, ion transport, and adaptability to the volume changes during cycling. In particular, poly[3-(potassium-4-butanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KBT) increases magnetite and silicon capacity and cycling stability. This work explores the impact of polythiophene alkyl sidechain length on anode characteristics, aiming to enhance performance in LIBs. P3KBT and its alkyl chain alternatives, poly[3-(potassium-5-pentanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KPT) and poly[3-(potassium-6-hexanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KHT) were systematically investigated over 300 charge-discharge cycles. The experiments were designed to assess how varying side-chain length affects the stability, ion transport, and capacity retention of the electrodes. The results revealed that P3KHT, with its longer alkyl chain, exhibited superior capacity retention and reduced charge-transfer resistance after 300 cycles compared to its shorter chain analogs. The findings demonstrate that tailored side chains can improve ion transport, structural integrity, and capacity retention, addressing critical challenges in LIBs such as capacity fade and electrode degradation. This research contributes to the development of next-generation LIBs with enhanced performance and reliability.

Ultra-small CoxSy nanoparticles adhered to 3D-reduced graphene oxide as attractive anodes for lithium-ion batteries

A novel composite anode material, CoxSy/G, has been developed through a novel hydrothermal synthesis method complemented by an innovative high-temperature vulcanization technique. This process facilitates the deposition of CoxSy nanoparticles, each less than 10nm in size, onto a substrate of 3D rGO. This composite material combines the robust lithium storage capacity of CoxSy nanoparticles with the exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical resilience of the 3D rGO framework, resulting in a significantly enhanced specific surface area and optimized mesoporous structure for CoxSy/G. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, the CoxSy/G composites achieve a discharge capacity of 748.5mAh g⁻¹ at 50mAg⁻¹, notably exceeding the 647mAh g⁻¹ capacity demonstrated by pure CoxSy. Furthermore, these composites maintain an extraordinary cycle retention rate of 112.4% after undergoing 500 charge-discharge cycles at a continuous rate of 0.5Ag⁻¹. The reduced charge transfer resistance noted after cycling underscores the material’s enhanced performance attributes. This innovative creation of CoxSy/G composites offers critical insights and potential strategies for further development in the field of lithium-ion cobalt-sulfur electrodes.

Impact of low temperature exposure on lithium-ion batteries: A multi-scale study of performance degradation, predictive signals and underlying mechanisms

The rapid global expansion of electric vehicles and energy storage industries necessitates understanding lithium-ion battery performance under unconventional conditions, such as low temperature. This study investigates long-term capacity degradation of lithium-ion batteries after low temperature exposure subjected to various C-rate cycles. Findings reveal that low temperature exposure accelerates capacity degradation, especially with increased C-rates or longer exposure durations. A distinctive sunken region appears on the NMC H-stage peak as cycling progresses after low temperature exposure, indicating NMC particle damage and serving as a predictive signal for identifying low temperature exposure batteries. Electrochemical analyses and invasive detection indicate that low temperature exposure causes NMC particle cracking, leading to dead lithium generation. This dead lithium deposits on electrode surfaces, as well as the overconsumption of electrolyte, inhibiting reactions and reducing capacity. Additionally, dead lithium accumulates on separators, impeding ion transport and further accelerating capacity loss. NMC particle cracks develop faster after low temperature exposure due to stress concentration at internal slits. This stress concentration causes the maximum stress within the NMC particles to exceed tensile stress limits, resulting in rapid crack propagation. The internal cracks become larger with prolonged low temperature exposure, causing greater stress concentration and leading to faster crack propagation. Based on these insights, strategies from existing literature are discussed to mitigate the adverse impacts of low temperature exposure on lithium-ion battery performance and enhance the reliability and longevity of lithium-ion battery in extreme conditions.

Enhancement of battery thermal management effect by a novel MOF based composite phase change material

The introduction of phase change materials (PCMs) into battery thermal management systems (BTMS) can effectively enhance the cooling performance, safety and practical thermal management applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, further study is needed to address the low heat conductivity and rapid phase change leakage of PCMs. This study proposed a metal–organic framework based shape-stabilized composite PCM (MOF/expanded graphite (EG) /multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) /paraffin wax (PW)) to construe battery cooling system, and its effect of battery thermal management is experimentally tested under various conditions. The results show the CPCM reveals a superior thermal management effect under varying ambient temperatures and discharge multipliers and outperforms natural convection. Even in the harsh environment of 40 °C and 3 C, the maximum temperature (Tmax) and Tmax difference (ΔTmax) of the CPCM-cooled module are 61.38 and 2.67 °C, which are 22 and 9 °C below the natural air-cooled module. Remarkably, the ΔTmax of the CPCM-cooled battery module in discharge decreases with the temperature rise at the discharge rate of 3 C, which is the exact opposite to the case of the air-cooled module. Moreover, the ΔTmax of CPCM-cooled module is 1.69, 1.84, 2.67 °C, all below the safe 5 °C at high temperatures (40 °C) as the discharge rate increases. The designed MOF-CPCM cooling system can effectively improve the temperature uniformity and thermal safety of the battery in harsh environments. Therefore, this novel MOF-based CPCM shows great promise in BTM.

Simultaneous structure and surface engineering of metal-organic framework derived LiNi0.5-xFe2xMn1.5-xO4 cathode material for improving high voltage performance of lithium-ion batteries

This study presents a novel material synthesis approach utilizing a terephthalic acid-based metal-organic framework as a precursor and employing an ethanol-assisted hydrothermal treatment to produce high-performance Fe-doped LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode material. This strategy yields a well-crystallized spinel structure with uniformly distributed transition metal ions. Additionally, the appropriate quantity of Fe dopant can achieve the desired Mn3+/Mn4+ ratio, level of structural disordering, and crystal phase purity for Fe-doped LNMO. The synthesis process also aids in forming an amorphous Li2CO3 surface layer, approximately 1 nm thick, which protects the active material from excessive reaction with electrolyte. The typical Fe-doped LNMO cathode (S-05) exhibits superior performance compared to a commercialized LNMO counterpart. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 135 mAh g-1 at 1 C with exceptional cycling stability over 500 cycles (capacity retention of 90%) under high voltage (5.0 V vs. Li+/Li). Furthermore, its rate capability significantly improves, with a capacity retention of 85% (5 C/0.2 C). This enhanced performance aligns with evidence of activated Ni2+/Ni3+/Ni4+ redox reactions and suppressed cathode electrolyte interphase resistance, leading to promoted Li+ diffusion. Moreover, it is found the cathode helps alleviate electrolyte degradation at high voltages by inhibiting the formation of singlet oxygen in the electrolyte.

Theoretical study on electrochemical and thermal behavior of GNP incorporated anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, a theoretical investigation of the electrical and thermal performance of lithium-ion batteries employing an unexplored graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) incorporated lithium titanate (LTO-GNP) anode and lithium manganese oxide cathode is demonstrated by using the COMSOL Multiphysics modeling and simulation. The GNP proportions in the LTO active material matrix are varied from 0 to 3 wt%, to assess the improvements in cell potential, state of charge (SOC), variation in internal temperature, discharging capacity, and battery power density across four selected electrodes. The simulation results have indicated the positive effects of increasing the anode’s GNP concentration on the battery performance, alongside temperature-dependent open-circuit voltage (OCV) and SOC outputs of the battery. The analysis of the effects of thermal conductivity on heat accumulation and dissipation within the battery has indicated that the anode with 3 wt% of GNP consistently performed superior to the other electrodes by providing uniform temperature distribution and enhanced electrical performance by promoting better discharge capacity and power density. The LTO anode with 3 wt% GNP has shown 0.2V more cell potential and also has 12.5% improved thermal conductivity when compared to LTO anode without GNP, contributing to better heat distribution inside the battery. The simulation also emphasized the importance of optimal GNP loading in the Li-ion battery anode to attain more uniform temperature distribution with improved battery health and efficiency.

Metal-free heteroatom integrated defect engineering of flexible carbon networks on tin oxide nanoparticles to enhance lithium-ion battery performance

Metal-free heteroatom integrated defect engineering of flexible carbon networks on tin oxide nanoparticles to enhance lithium-ion battery performance

Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries, Nanocomposite Materials and Applications

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are pivotal in a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems. The broader adoption of LIBs hinges on advancements in their safety, cost-effectiveness, cycle life, energy density, and rate capability. While traditional LIBs already benefit from composite materials in components such as the cathode, anode, and separator, the integration of nanocomposite materials presents significant potential for enhancing these properties. Nanocomposites, including carbon–oxide, polymer–oxide, and silicon-based variants, are engineered to optimize key performance metrics, such as electrical conductivity, structural stability, capacity, and charging/discharging efficiency. Recent research has focused on refining these composites to overcome existing limitations in energy density and cycle life, thus paving the way for the next generation of LIB technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges related to high production costs and scalability remain substantial barriers to the widespread commercial deployment of nanocomposite-enhanced LIBs. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing the full potential of these advanced materials, thereby driving significant improvements in the performance and practical applications of LIBs across various industries.

Synergy of molybdenum carbide nanosheets with PMIA separator for regulated Li+ transport in high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Separators should not only guarantee the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but also enable better electrochemical performance, especially in enhancing the power density of LIBs. In this work, Mo2C/PMIA composite separator was prepared by adding molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) nanosheets to m-phenylene isophthalamide (PMIA) via a non-solvent induced phase separation process. The incorporation of Mo2C nanosheets induced a non-homogeneous interfacial modification of the PMIA separator, resulting in the increased porosity of the separator. Furthermore, the electrolyte uptake and its retention were further improved while the Li+ migration resistance was reduced, which manifested into a lower interfacial impedance (73.17 Ω). The Mo2C nanosheets significantly enhanced the adsorption energy of the Mo2C/PMIA composite separator for Li+, which in turn promoted the desolvation effects in the Li-EC of Li+ within the electrolyte and boosted the mobility of Li+. This led to a relatively high ionic conductivity of 0.57 mS cm−1 along with a Li+ mobility number of 0.77. Fast-moving Li+ reduced the concentration polarization of the LIBs, and no polarization was observed after 400 h of cycling with a lithium symmetric battery (Li||Li), suggesting that the generation of lithium dendrites was successfully suppressed using the Mo2C/PMIA composite separator. LiFePO4||Li batteries assembled with the Mo2C/PMIA composite separator demonstrated the ability to retain 90 % of their capacity throughout 150 cycles at a current density of 0.5C, achieving a discharge specific capacity of 128.5mAh g−1, which enables high-performance LIBs.

Metalation of porphyrin units in a porous organic polymer stabilizing its anodic cycling performance in lithium-ion battery

Organic materials have attracted tremendous interest as electrodes materials for lithium-ion battery, however, they still suffer from intractable problems including inherent low electronic conductivity, poor cycling stability and high solubility in electrolyte etc. Herein, a porphyrin-based porous organic polymer (POP) is employed to serve as anode material by virtue of its good insolubility, unique π-π interaction and abundant active sites. The POP electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 584 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 originated from fast redox activity while unfortunately undergoes a severe capacity fading during long-term cycles. It is found that the metalation of porphyrin moiety in POP by Ni2+ (Ni-POP) enables an excellent cycling stability of 380 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 99 % for 500 cycles. We revealed that porphyrin unit is decomposed from the cleavage of the C-N/C=N bonds in porphyrin units, while Ni coordination stabilizes porphyrin units during fast redox process as affirmed by ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The easy fabrication, low-cost and excellent performance make Ni-POP great potential as anode material for lithium-ion battery.

Perovskite-Type CaVO3 Nanocomposite as High-Performance Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Electric vehicles' rapid development has put higher requirements on the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the specific capacity of a commercial graphite anode (372 mAh g-1) has become the bottleneck for further improvement. Therefore, it is urgent to develop novel anode materials with superior performance. Herein, we propose crystalline-amorphous dual-phase CaVO3 nanocomposites as LIB anodes. Benefiting from the stable perovskite structure and high conductivity of CaVO3, the nanocomposite follows the intercalation mechanism, resulting in no capacity decay during 5000 cycles. In addition, due to the multielectron transfer provided by amorphous high-valent vanadium oxide, the nanocomposite can provide a high specific capacity of 442.8 mAh g-1 with a suitable average working potential of 0.95 V. The ingenious strategy of constructing nanocomposites through spontaneous oxidation of nanoparticles is expected to be extended to the perovskite oxide family, inspiring the development of more high-performance LIB anodes.

Improving Fast-Charging Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries through Electrode-Electrolyte Interfacial Engineering.

The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key element in anode-electrolyte interactions and ultimately contributes to improving the lifespan and fast-charging capability of lithium-ion batteries. The conventional additive vinyl carbonate (VC) generates spatially dense and rigid poly VC species that may not ensure fast Li+ transport across the SEI on the anode. Here, a synthetic additive called isosorbide 2,5-dimethanesulfonate (ISDMS) with a polar oxygen-rich motif is reported that can competitively coordinate with Li+ ions and allow the entrance of PF6 - anions into the core solvation structure. The existence of ISDMS and PF6 - in the core solvation structure along with Li+ ions enables the movement of anions toward the anode during the first charge, leading to a significant contribution of ISDMS and LiPF6 to SEI formation. ISDMS leads to the creation of ionically conductive and electrochemically stable SEI that can elevate the fast-charging performance and increase the lifespan of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811)/graphite full cells. Additionally, a sulfur-rich cathode-electrolyte interface with a high stability under elevated-temperature and high-voltage conditions is constructed through the sacrificial oxidation of ISDMS, thus concomitantly improving the stability of the electrolyte and the NCM811 cathode in a full cell with a charge voltage cut-off of 4.4V.

From Lithium-Ion to Sodium-Ion Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Research Advancements and Perspectives.

A significant turning point in the search for environmentally friendly energy storage options is the switch from lithium-ion to sodium-ion batteries. This review highlights the potential of sodium-ion battery (NIB) technology to address the environmental and financial issues related to lithium-ion systems by thoroughly examining recent developments in NIB technology. It is noted that sodium is more abundant and less expensive than lithium, NIBs have several benefits that could drastically lower the total cost of energy storage systems. In addition, this study examines new findings in important fields including electrolyte compositions, electrode materials, and battery performances of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and NIBs. The article highlights advancements in anode and cathode materials, with a focus on improving energy density, cycle stability, and rate capability of both LIBs and NIBs. The review also covers the advances made in comprehending the electrochemical mechanisms and special difficulties associated with NIBs, such as material degradation and sodium ion diffusion. Future research directions are discussed, with an emphasis on enhancing the scalability and commercial viability of sodium-ion technology over lithium on Electric Grid. Considering sustainability objectives and the integration of renewable energy sources, the review's assessment of sodium-ion batteries' possible effects on the future state of energy storage is included in its conclusion.

Optimizing Si─O Conjugation to Enhance Interfacial Kinetics for Low-Temperature Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries.

With the growing demand for high-voltage and wide-temperature range applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the requirements for electrolytes have become increasingly stringent. While fluorination engineering has enhanced the performance of traditional solvent systems, it has also raised concerns regarding cost, environmental hazards, and low reduction stability. Through strategic molecular bond design, a novel class of low-temperature (LT) solvents-siloxanes-is identified, meeting the demands of LT and high-voltage applications in LIBs. The d-p conjugation of the Si─O bond enhances voltage resistance and weakens the Li+-solvent interactions. By modulating the number of Si─O conjugated bonds, the type of anion clusters in the solvation structure can be controlled, ultimately leading to the formation of a LiF and Si─O-rich interfacial layer and facilitating rapid Li+ conduction. Consequently, the graphite||NCM811 pouch cell (2.3 Ah, 4.45 V) with a siloxane-based electrolyte retains 75.1% of room temperature capacity (RTC) at -50°C. The rapid interface kinetics allow a superior reversible charging capacity retention of 67.6% at -40°C, with good cycle stability at -20°C. This study provides new insights into solvent design to fortify LIB performance in harsh conditions.

Exploring a preheating strategy for lithium-ion battery pack using graphene-enhanced microencapsulated phase change materials

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are fundamental to the operation of electric vehicles due to their superior energy density and extended cycle life. However, the performance of LIBs deteriorates significantly in subzero temperatures. This study investigates the potential of graphene-enhanced microencapsulated phase change materials (G-MEPCM) as a solution to improve the preheating performance of LIBs in cold environments. Numerical analysis has been conducted to evaluate the thermal performance of the LIB/G-MEPCM system under varying conditions, including different graphene contents, ambient temperatures, heat transfer coefficients, and heating power levels. Results indicate that higher graphene content within MEPCM improves thermal uniformity and reduces internal temperature differences, with 4 wt% graphene content identified as optimal for achieving a balance between rapid heating and temperature uniformity. Besides, increasing the heat transfer coefficient decreases the average temperature and increases the temperature difference of the battery pack. On the contrary, increasing ambient temperature increases the average temperature and decreases the temperature difference of the battery pack. When ambient temperature equals to −25 °C, the temperature difference of battery pack is 21.4 % higher than that when ambient temperature equals to −10 °C. Furthermore, both the average temperature and temperature difference of the battery back increase with the increases of the heating power.

Insights into lithium plating characteristics enable plating-free heating strategy for bidirectional pulse utilizing a refined physics-based model

Bidirectional pulse heating, known for its fast heating rate and good consistency, is a promising preheating solution for addressing the dilemma of poor performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at low temperatures. But applying this method to batteries, particularly at high state-of-charges (SOCs), can increase the risk of lithium plating, which in turn raises the potential for thermal runaway. Here, we introduce a refined physics-based model to explore, for the first time, the lithium plating behavior during the bidirectional pulse heating process. Further, we propose a stepped rate pulse strategy based on the lithium precipitation temperature boundary, designed to rapidly warm batteries without inducing lithium plating. Our findings reveal that both capacity loss and the onset temperature for lithium plating increase with higher SOCs and pulse rates. Moreover, due to the uneven temperature distribution, the lithium plating current at the cell periphery is larger compared to that inside the cell, and the outmost cell experiences a more severe capacity loss than the internal cell in a module. The plating-free heating rate varies at different SOC levels and exhibits a 1.5 times improvement as the SOC decreases from 0.5 to 0.2. This study contributes to an enhanced comprehension of lithium plating characteristics and offers invaluable insights into the design of efficient and safe pulse heating strategies.

Enhancing high-density battery performance through innovative single-phase spray technology in immersion cooling systems

The flow field organization in liquid-cooled BTMS (Battery Thermal Management System) is crucial to the thermal performance of lithium-ion batteries. This study introduces an innovative single-phase spray technology to optimize the flow field and enhance thermal characteristics in BTMS. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations, key factors such as dielectric fluid type, nozzle diameter, spray angle, and nozzle position are analyzed. Novec 7500 is identified as the optimal dielectric fluid, with thermal conductivity and viscosity playing significant roles. Response Surface Analysis and the entropy weight TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution) determine optimal conditions: a 0.47 mm nozzle diameter, 0 mm nozzle offset, and an 88.16° spray angle. These parameters reduce the maximum battery temperature to 25.43 °C and minimize the temperature gradient to 3.41 °C, achieving reductions of 14.20 % and 57.74 %, respectively, compared to non-spray systems. Furthermore, the system reduces the maximum temperature of a 36-cell battery module by 27.28 % to 25.33 °C and the maximum temperature difference by 69.39 % to 4.35 °C. The optimized spray cooling technology is effective for smaller battery stacks and demonstrates the potential to maintain high cooling efficiency in complex systems, providing a solution for BTMS.

Identification of critical moisture exposure for nickel-rich cathode active materials in lithium-ion battery production

Nickel-rich cathode materials are crucial for improving lithium-ion battery performance due to their potential for high energy densities. However, their sensitivity to humidity demands cost- and energy-intensive dry room production environments. This study examined the storage stability of a surface-treated nickel-rich cathode (≈ 91 mol% nickel) under industry-relevant scenarios to assess the required atmospheres and the impact of short moisture exposure on material and cell performance. Calendered and non-calendered cathodes were produced in a dry room with a dew point of −60 °C and then exposed to dew points of up to −20 °C and ambient atmosphere (dew point ≈ 5 °C). Analysis showed that calendered electrodes were more susceptible to carbonate formation at higher dew points. Cycling tests of single-layer full-pouch cells indicated that carbonate impurities, predominantly present on electrodes stored in ambient conditions, reduced energy efficiency during formation but did not significantly affect long-term performance. These findings suggest that less stringent dry room requirements could reduce production costs and energy consumption for high-performance lithium-ion battery cells.

Revealing the impact of CO2 exposure during calcination on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2.

The synthesis atmosphere plays a fundamental role in determining the physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance of NMC811 cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. This study investigates the effect of carbonate impurities generated during synthesis by comparing three distinct samples: NMC811 calcined in ambient air, NMC811 calcined in synthetic air to mitigate carbonate formation, and NMC811 initially calcined in ambient air followed by annealing in synthetic air to eliminate carbonate species. Physicochemical characterization through XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA techniques revealed noticeable differences in the structural and chemical properties among the samples. Electrochemical assessments conducted via coin-cell testing demonstrate superior performance for materials synthesized in synthetic air, exhibiting an enhanced discharge capacity of 145.4 ± 4.8 mA h g-1 compared to materials synthesized in normal air (109.4 ± 4.3 mA h g-1) at C/10. More importantly, sample annealing in synthetic air after air calcination partially recovers the electrochemical performance of the cathode (142.1 ± 4.6 mA h g-1 at C/10) and this is related to the elimination of carbonate species from the ceramic powder. These findings highlight the importance of controlling synthesis conditions, particularly the atmosphere, to tailor the properties of NMC811 cathode materials for optimal lithium-ion battery performance.

Half‐Heusler Alloy CoMnZ (Z = Sb/Sn): Electrode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

ABSTRACTHeusler alloys (HAs) are a well‐known family of compounds generating promising interest due to their robust structure, ease of tailoring their unique properties, and potential applications. The investigations in the direction of the electrochemical performance of these materials as electrodes for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been established theoretically and experimentally. Alloying of alkali metal ions into half‐HAs unit cells can be another route to improve LIBs performance. This work presents our investigations on thermodynamically stable half‐HAs CoMnZ (Z: Sb/Sn) as electrode materials for rechargeable LIBs using the first‐principle calculations based on the density functional theory. The negative formation energies validate the thermodynamic stability of the alloys considered in this study. With increasing Li doping, a structural change from cubic to tetragonal and orthorhombic phase is observed in the host structure, and upon full lithiation (LiMnZ), a cubic structure is attained. The band structure calculations of the host structure and its lithiated phase indicate a metallic nature in these alloys. The calculations are also performed to investigate the structural stability of parent alloys and corresponding lithiated phases. We calculated a storage capacity of around 14.5 Ah/kg for 0.125 atomic fraction of Li atoms, which is increased by nearly 10 times upon full lithiation. A maximum open circuit voltage of around 9.8 V is calculated for Li0.125Co0.875MnSb and CoLi0.125Mn0.875Sb. Thus, all these remarkable results suggest that these intermetallic compounds have a strong potential as the cathode material for LIBs with a robust life and a large capacity.