This Research Topic on electrode materials for lithium and post-lithium rechargeable batteries is focused on the design, synthesis, characterization (ex situ, in situ, and operando), and modeling of new materials to be used as anodes or cathodes for lithium and post-lithium (e.g. sodium, magnesium) rechargeable batteries.
At present, lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art option for powering portable electronics (e.g. smartphones, laptops, cameras, etc.). However, they suffer from severe limitations with respect to energy density, life cycle, and safety, limiting their applications in new and demanding sectors such as automobiles and grids. New anode materials with higher theoretical capacity, as well as cathodes with higher operating voltage, can help to overcome, or at least alleviate, the limitations related to low energy density, thus allowing wider industrial exploitation.
Among anodes, new intercalation materials based on nanostructured and/or hierarchical carbon, silicon, and phosphorus, as well as intermetallics and conversion oxides, may be of interest. Among cathodes, it is expected that new layered and polyanion compounds with high operating voltages can offer a real breakthrough toward high-energy density batteries. A synergistic coupling of experimental and computational approaches will help to fully make use of the potential of these materials.
Accordingly, in this thematic collection for Frontiers in Materials we welcome the submission of original papers, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspectives that introduce as well as promote a better understanding of emerging materials, methodologies, and even new chemistries for advanced energy storage. Due to the increasing attention toward sustainability and circular economy, submitted papers may also highlight the steps from academia to industry, such as robust and/or low-cost integration of functional materials, solvent reduction/ reuse, compatibility/scalability with industrial fabrication, or the use of renewables and biomasses.
This Research Topic on electrode materials for lithium and post-lithium rechargeable batteries is focused on the design, synthesis, characterization (ex situ, in situ, and operando), and modeling of new materials to be used as anodes or cathodes for lithium and post-lithium (e.g. sodium, magnesium) rechargeable batteries.
At present, lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art option for powering portable electronics (e.g. smartphones, laptops, cameras, etc.). However, they suffer from severe limitations with respect to energy density, life cycle, and safety, limiting their applications in new and demanding sectors such as automobiles and grids. New anode materials with higher theoretical capacity, as well as cathodes with higher operating voltage, can help to overcome, or at least alleviate, the limitations related to low energy density, thus allowing wider industrial exploitation.
Among anodes, new intercalation materials based on nanostructured and/or hierarchical carbon, silicon, and phosphorus, as well as intermetallics and conversion oxides, may be of interest. Among cathodes, it is expected that new layered and polyanion compounds with high operating voltages can offer a real breakthrough toward high-energy density batteries. A synergistic coupling of experimental and computational approaches will help to fully make use of the potential of these materials.
Accordingly, in this thematic collection for Frontiers in Materials we welcome the submission of original papers, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspectives that introduce as well as promote a better understanding of emerging materials, methodologies, and even new chemistries for advanced energy storage. Due to the increasing attention toward sustainability and circular economy, submitted papers may also highlight the steps from academia to industry, such as robust and/or low-cost integration of functional materials, solvent reduction/ reuse, compatibility/scalability with industrial fabrication, or the use of renewables and biomasses.