A review of advanced and practical lithium battery materials

Presented herein is a discussion of the forefront in research and development of advanced electrode materials and electrolyte solutions for the next generation of lithium ion batteries. The main challenge of the field today is in meeting the demands necessary to make the electric vehicle fully commercially viable. This requires high energy and power densities with no compromise in safety. Three families of advanced cathode materials (the limiting factor for energy density in the Li battery systems) are discussed in detail: LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 high voltage spinel compounds, Li2MnO3–LiMO2 high capacity composite layered compounds, and LiMPO4, where M = Fe, Mn. Graphite, Si, LixTOy, and MO (conversion reactions) are…