Study of Rechargeable Batteries Using Advanced Spectroscopic and Computational Techniques

Abstract

Improving the efficiency and longevity of energy storage systems based on Li- and Na-ion rechargeable batteries presents a major challenge. The main problems are essentially capacity loss and limited cyclability. These effects are due to a hierarchy of factors spanning various length and time scales, interconnected in a complex manner. As a consequence, and in spite of several decades of research, a proper understanding of the ageing process has remained somewhat elusive. In recent years, however, combinations of advanced spectroscopy techniques and first-principles simulations have been applied with success to tackle this problem. In this Special Issue, we are pleased to present a selection of articles that, by precisely applying these methods, unravel key aspects of the reduction–oxidation reaction and intercalation processes. Furthermore, the approaches presented provide improvements to standard diagnostic and characterisation techniques, enabling the detection of possible Li-ion flow bottlenecks causing the degradation of capacity and cyclability.

The significance of detecting imperceptible physical/chemical changes/reactions in lithium-ion batteries: a perspective

“…[35][36][37][38][39] Furthermore, when combined with big data technology, synchrotron-based characterization can in situ reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) structure information about, element distribution of and valence information about electrode materials, [40][41][42][43] benefiting the detection of the imperceptible physical/chemical change/ reaction that occurs on/between the electrodes and electrolyte. [44][45][46] The information obtained from synchrotron radiation characterization could significantly help in understanding the corresponding relationship between the macroscopic battery performance and the microscopic material structure evolution. [47][48][49] Suppose we use a common metaphor to describe the importance of and the relationship between high-precision electrochemical detection and material characterization (visualized as Fig.…”