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Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the predominant and widely used energy storage systems in portable electronic devices, such as video cameras, smartphones, laptops, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with in stationary energy storage applications like power banks and backup energy storage systems. Moreover, they are widely used in the latest models of all electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). However, to meet the demand for EVs and HEVs, notable improvements in commercially available LIBs are required. These include improving energy density, cycling life, power and rate capabilities, safety, and cost. In spite of the initial commercialization of LIBs in 1990 by Sony, current commercial LIBs still rely on graphite/carbon as the anode material, providing a theoretical capacity of approximately 372 mAh g−1. The search is on for viable alternatives to graphite with higher capacity materials, and silicon (Si) has emerged as a promising candidate with a theoretical capacity of approximately 4200 mAh g−1. However, Si anodes face several challenges, such as considerable volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process, which leads to significant crystallographic-related phase-induced stresses, continuous formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI), and cycle retention decay. The volume expansion caused by stress leads to the pulverization of Si electrodes. This results in the loss of electrical contact with the substrate or current collector, causing a significant and rapid decrease in capacity and ultimately leading to battery failure. This review explores the challenges associated with Si-based anodes, their underlying causes, and their comparative advantages over conventional anodes. Furthermore, the review discusses innovative solutions to address these challenges, such as utilizing novel binders, electrolyte additives, structural, interfacial, composite engineering techniques, and prelithiation methods. Finally, considering the material cost, the suggestion to transition entirely to using up to 100% wt. silicon for anode development is proposed, streamlining practical and commercial implementation in future LIBs.

The Detroit Big Three General Motors (GMs), Ford, and Stellantis predict that electric vehicle (EV) sales will comprise 40–50% of the annual vehicle sales by 2030. Among the key components of LIBs, the LiNixMnyCo1−x−yO2 cathode, which comprises nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) in various stoichiometric ratios, is widely used in EV batteries. This review reveals NMC cathodes from laboratory research. Furthermore, this study examines the environmental effect of NMC cathode production for EV batteries (including coating technologies), encompassing aspects such as energy consumption, water usage, and air emissions. Although gaps persist in NMC cathode environmental assessments (NMC111, NMC532, NMC622, and NMC811), limited life cycle assessments “(LCA)” have been conducted. Most available data originate from Asia (primarily China), accounting for 85% of the production of EV LIB cathode materials. The concept of battery passports for data collection on LIB components has been proposed to facilitate material traceability as a system for ensuring a sustainable supply chain for critical minerals. The automotive industry’s shift to electrification necessitates a sustainable supply chain from mine to vehicle end-of-life. As the critical mineral supply moves from Asia to North America, environmentally friendly industrial methods must be studied to provide this supply chain direction.

The escalating demand for lithium has intensified the need to process critical lithium ores into battery-grade materials efficiently. This review paper overviews the transformation processes and cost of converting critical lithium ores, primarily spodumene and brine, into high-purity battery-grade precursors. We systematically examine the study findings on various approaches for lithium recovery from spodumene and brine. Dense media separation (DMS) and froth flotation are the most often used processes for spodumene beneficiation. Magnetic separation (MS) and ore gravity concentration techniques in spodumene processing have also been considered. To produce battery-grade lithium salts, the beneficiated-concentrated spodumene must be treated further, with or without heat, in the presence of acidic or alkaline media. As a result, various pyro and hydrometallurgical techniques have been explored. Moreover, the process of extracting lithium from brine through precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, and polymer inclusion membrane separation employing different organic, inorganic, and composite polymer sorbents has also been reviewed.

In recent years, batteries have revolutionized electrification projects and accelerated the energy transition. Consequently, battery systems were hugely demanded based on large-scale electrification projects, leading to significant interest in low-cost and more abundant chemistries to meet these requirements in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As a result, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) share has increased considerably due to lower cost and higher safety compared to conventional nickel and cobalt-based chemistries. However, their fast-growing share is affected by updated chemistries, where cheaper systems like sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are becoming more attractive. SIBs also benefited from the greener, more ethical, and evenly distributed elemental resources. SIBs are fast approaching market thanks to mature LIB’s technology and manufacturing scalability using existing Li-ion gigafactories. Additionally, SIBs can be adapted to other emerging technologies, including Li-ion batteries and silicon-based anodes, influencing projections for their broader use. However, despite the lower cost and abundance of sodium chemistries compared to lithium ones, limited manufacturing capacity discourages material suppliers from increasing production, which restricts the supply chain, raises costs, and diminishes Na battery manufacturing. Here, we aim to provide an overview of the progress of SIBs in gaining market share from LIBs. We first reviewed LIB and SIB histories, developments, and market share. Then, we analyzed the offered chemicals in battery components, their resources and supplies, material demand, and supply chain. The commercialization of each system was investigated in addition to the challenges related to energy density, environmental impact, sustainability, and safety. If all these concerns are addressed properly, LIBs and SIBs could potentially offer a more affordable, safer, and sustainable choice for the global energy storage outlook, particularly in short-range electric vehicles and stationary grid storage.

Perovskite-based photo-batteries (PBs) have been developed as a promising combination of photovoltaic and electrochemical technology due to their cost-effective design and significant increase in solar-to-electric power conversion efficiency. The use of complex metal oxides of the perovskite-type in batteries and photovoltaic cells has attracted considerable attention. Because of its variable bandgap, non-rigid structure, high light absorption capacity, long charge carrier diffusion length, and high charge mobility, this material has shown promise in energy storage devices, especially Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and PBs. This review paper focuses on recent progress and comparative analysis of PBs using perovskite-based materials. The practical application of these batteries as dependable power sources faces significant technical and financial challenges because solar radiation is alternating. In order to address this, research is being performed on PBs with the integration of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as a way to balance energy availability and demand, cut down on energy waste, and stabilize power output for wearable and portable electronics as well as energy storage applications.

The effects of global warming highlight the urgent need for effective solutions to this problem. The electrification of society, which occurs through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), is a critical strategy to combat climate change. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are vital components of the global energy-storage market for EVs, and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have gained renewed interest owing to their potential for rapid growth. Improved safety and stability have also put solid-state batteries (SSBs) on the chart of top batteries in the world. This review examines three critical battery technologies: LIBs, SIBs, and SSBs. Although research has historically concentrated on heavier battery components, such as electrodes, to achieve high gravimetric density, binders, which comprise less than 5% of the battery weight, have demonstrated great promise for meeting the increasing need for energy storage. This review thoroughly examines various binders, focusing on their solubilities in water and organic solvents. Understanding binder mechanisms is crucial for developing binders that maintain strong adhesion to electrodes, even during volume fluctuations caused by lithiation and delithiation. Therefore, we investigated the different mechanisms associated with binders. This review also discusses failure mechanisms and innovative design strategies to improve the performance of binders, such as composite, conductive, and self-healing binders. By investigating these fields, we hope to develop energy storage technologies that are more dependable and efficient while also helping to satisfy future energy needs.

The pursuit of industrializing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with exceptional energy density and top-tier safety features presents a substantial growth opportunity. The demand for energy storage is steadily rising, driven primarily by the growth in electric vehicles and the need for stationary energy storage systems. However, the manufacturing process of LIBs, which is crucial for these applications, still faces significant challenges in terms of both financial and environmental impacts. Our review paper comprehensively examines the dry battery electrode technology used in LIBs, which implies the use of no solvents to produce dry electrodes or coatings. In contrast, the conventional wet electrode technique includes processes for solvent recovery/drying and the mixing of solvents like N-methyl pyrrolidine (NMP). Methods that use dry films bypass the need for solvent blending and solvent evaporation processes. The advantages of dry processes include a shorter production time, reduced energy consumption, and lower equipment investment. This is because no solvent mixing or drying is required, making the production process much faster and, thus, decreasing the price. This review explores three solvent-free dry film techniques, such as extrusion, binder fibrillation, and dry spraying deposition, applied to LIB electrode coatings. Emphasizing cost-effective large-scale production, the critical methods identified are hot melting, extrusion, and binder fibrillation. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the solvent-free dry-film-making methods, detailing the underlying principles, procedures, and relevant parameters.

In the present era, different allotropes of carbon have been discovered, and graphene is the one among them that has contributed to many breakthroughs in research. It has been considered a promising candidate in the research and academic fields, as well as in industries, over the last decade. It has many properties to be explored, such as an enhanced specific surface area and beneficial thermal and electrical conductivities. Graphene is arranged as a 2D structure by organizing sp2 hybridized C with alternative single and double bonds, providing an extended conjugation combining hexagonal ring structures to form a honeycomb structure. The precious structure and outstanding characteristics are the major reason that modern industry relies heavily on graphene, and it is predominantly applied in electronic devices. Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) foremostly utilize graphene as an anode or a cathode, and are combined with polymers to use them as polymer electrolytes. After three decades of commercialization of the lithium-ion battery, it still leads in consumer electronic society due to its higher energy density, wider operating voltages, low self-discharge, noble high-temperature performance, and fewer maintenance requirements. In this review, we aim to give a brief review of the domination of graphene and its applications in LIBs.

The specific capacity of P2-type sodium-ion battery cathode is limited because full extraction of Na ions leads to structural degradation. Here authors report pillar-beam structured material to overcome this issue by using K pillar ions to uphold the transition metal layers upon extraction of Na ions.

Li-ion batteries are in demand due to technological advancements in the electronics industry; thus, expanding the battery supply chain and improving its electrochemical performance is crucial. Carbon materials are used to increase the cyclic stability and specific capacity of cathode materials, which are essential to batteries. LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes are generally safe and have a long cycle life. However, the common LFP cathode has a low inherent conductivity, and adding a carbon nanomaterial significantly influences how well it performs electrochemically. Therefore, the major focus of this review is on the importance, current developments, and future possibilities of carbon-LFP (C-LFP) cathodes in LIBs. Recent research on the impacts of different carbon sizes, LFP’s shape, diffusion, bonding, additives, dopants, and surface functionalization was reviewed. Overall, with suitable modifications, C-LFP cathodes are expected to bring many benefits to the energy storage sector in the forthcoming years.

This work summarizes the most commonly used in situ techniques for the study of Li-ion batteries from the micro to the atomic level. In situ analysis has attracted a great deal of interest owing to its ability to provide a wide range of information about the cycling behavior of batteries from the beginning until the end of cycling. The in situ techniques that are covered are: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). An optimized setup is required to be able to use any of these in situ techniques in battery applications. Depending on the type of data required, the available setup, and the type of battery, more than one of these techniques might be needed. This study organizes these techniques from the micro to the atomic level, and shows the types of data that can be obtained using these techniques, their advantages and their challenges, and possible strategies for overcoming these challenges.

Metal-ion batteries are capable of delivering high energy density with a longer lifespan. However, they are subject to several issues limiting their utilization. One critical impediment is the budding and extension of solid protuberances on the anodic surface, which hinders the cell functionalities. These protuberances expand continuously during the cyclic processes, extending through the separator sheath and leading to electrical shorting. The progression of a protrusion relies on a number of in situ and ex situ factors that can be evaluated theoretically through modeling or via laboratory experimentation. However, it is essential to identify the dynamics and mechanism of protrusion outgrowth. This review article explores recent advances in alleviating metal dendrites in battery systems, specifically alkali metals. In detail, we address the challenges associated with battery breakdown, including the underlying mechanism of dendrite generation and swelling. We discuss the feasible solutions to mitigate the dendrites, as well as their pros and cons, highlighting future research directions. It is of great importance to analyze dendrite suppression within a pragmatic framework with synergy in order to discover a unique solution to ensure the viability of present (Li) and future-generation batteries (Na and K) for commercial use.

Photo-rechargable energy storage cells can provide plug-free power for various applications. Here the authors integrate a photo-absorbing dye complex with LiFePO4nanocrystals as a lithium-ion battery cathode in a two-electrode system demonstrating its photo-charging and galvanostatic discharging.

Liquid electrolytes used in Li-ion batteries are flammable and slowly degrade to form a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) that irreversibly consumes lithium, decreasing the Coulombic efficiency of the battery. In addition, lithium anodes undergo severe morphology changes during cycling and Li dendrites are formed, which may cause short circuits inside the battery. Safety concerns and the requirement of higher energy density have stimulated a search for a durable solid-state lithium rechargeable battery (SSLB) with an inorganic or dry polymer electrolyte that is more stable toward the lithium metal and suppresses the growth of lithium dendrites. Reducing the reactivity and increasing the poor contact between solid interfaces in these all-solid-state batteries remain challenging and Li-surface modification is one option to be explored to remedy these problems. Here, we review recent progress in surface pre-treatment of 2D lithium foil to enhance the electrochemical performance of various battery configurations. The review is organized based on the different types of modification reported in the literature.

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) are undoubtedly among the most promising technologies to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries. Their key component is a thin solid-state electrolyte, which is safer than its flammable liquid counterpart and enables the use of metallic lithium, thus ensuring high energy densities (over 500 W h kg−1). Several solid electrolytes are currently being investigated, such as NASICON-like materials, perovskites, and garnets. Typical techniques used to synthesize most such electrolytes still involve prolonged high-temperature calcination and sintering steps. An alternative approach is to couple electrospinning with the well-known sol–gel method to lower the temperatures and synthesis times and simultaneously exploit the benefits of using anisotropic nanostructured materials. In this review, we discuss advances in the synthesis of ceramic nanofibrous materials having high ionic conductivity and present our perspective regarding their potential application as electrolytes in ASSLBs. Keywords: Electrospinning, Solid electrolyte, Ceramic, Nanofibers, Lithium metal battery

Sodium-ion batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, high abundance of sodium, and established electrochemical process. However, problems, such as low capacity, low storage voltage and capacity fade of electrode materials, must be resolved for the applications of sodium ion batteries. Many Ti-containing compounds were reported as cathode and anode materials, but very few studies focus on the role of Ti in electrodes used in sodium-ion batteries. This paper systemically reviews the roles of Ti in electrodes of sodium ion batteries. The Ti4+/Ti3+ redox couple is a good choice for anodes due to its low potential and it exhibits different storage voltages in different structures. Although Ti4+ does not participate in charge transfer in cathodes, it can indirectly enhance the capacity, cycling life and rate performance via structure change, cation order-disorder transition, and its interaction with the crystal lattice structure. This review will provide a new insight in designing and understanding novel high-performance electrodes.

In recent years, the need to reduce environmental impacts and increase flexibility in the energy sector has led to increased penetration of renewable energy sources and the shift from concentrated to decentralized generation. A fuel cell is an instrument that produces electricity by chemical reaction. Fuel cells are a promising technology for ultimate energy conversion and energy generation. We see that this system is integrated, where we find that the wind and photovoltaic energy system is complementary between them, because not all days are sunny, windy, or night, so we see that this system has higher reliability to provide continuous generation. At low load hours, PV and electrolysis units produce extra power. After being compressed, hydrogen is stored in tanks. The purpose of this study is to separate the Bahr AL-Najaf Area from the main power grid and make it an independent network by itself. The PEM fuel cells were analyzed and designed, and it were found that one layer is equal to 570.96 Watt at 0.61 volts and 1.04 A/Cm2. The number of layers in one stack is designed to be equal to 13 layers, so that the total power of one stack is equal to 7422.48 Watt. That is, the number of stacks required to generate the required energy from the fuel cells is equal to 203 stk. This study provided an analysis of the hybrid system to cover the electricity demand in the Bahr AL-Najaf region of 1.5 MW, the attained hybrid power system TNPC cost was about 9,573,208 USD, whereas the capital cost and energy cost (COE) were about 7,750,000 USD and 0.169 USD/kWh respectively, for one year.

Advanced lithium-ion batteries contain smart materials having the function of insertion electrodes in the form of powders with specific and optimized electrochemical properties. Different classes can be considered: the surface modified active particles at either positive or negative electrodes, the nano-composite electrodes and the blended materials. In this paper, various systems are described, which illustrate the improvement of lithium-ion batteries in term of specific energy and power, thermal stability and life cycling.

Hydrogen is widely regarded as a prime energy carrier for bridging the gap between renewable energy supply and demand. As the energy-generating component of the hydrogen cycle, affordable and reliable fuel cells are of key importance to the growth of the hydrogen economy. However, the use of scarce and costly Pt as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains an issue to be addressed, and in this regard, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are viewed as promising non-noble alternatives because of their self-assembly capability and tunable properties. Herein, recent (2018–2020) works on MOF-based electrocatalysts containing N-doped C, Mn, Fe, Co, multiple metals, and multiple sites are reviewed and summarized with a focus on ORR activity, and the principal physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance of these catalysts realized using rotating electrodes are compared.

Energy storage materials are finding increasing applications in our daily lives, for devices such as mobile phones and electric vehicles. Current commercial batteries use flammable liquid electrolytes, which are unsafe, toxic, and environmentally unfriendly with low chemical stability. Recently, solid electrolytes have been extensively studied as alternative electrolytes to address these shortcomings. Herein, we report the early history, synthesis and characterization, mechanical properties, and Li+ ion transport mechanisms of inorganic sulfide and oxide electrolytes. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of the fabrication technology and experimental conditions, such as the effects of pressure and operating parameters, on the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state Li batteries. In particular, we emphasize promising electrolyte systems based on sulfides and argyrodites, such as LiPS5Cl and β-Li3PS4, oxide electrolytes, bare and doped Li7La3Zr2O12 garnet, NASICON-type structures, and perovskite electrolyte materials. Moreover, we discuss the present and future challenges that all-solid-state batteries face for large-scale industrial applications.

With the advances in characterization techniques, various operando/in-situ methods were applied in studying rechargeable batteries in order to improve the electrochemical properties of electrode materials, prolonging the battery life and developing new battery materials. In the present review, we focus on the characterization of electrode materials with operando/in-situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopies. By correlating the results obtained via these two techniques in different electrode chemistry: (a) intercalation materials, such as layered metal oxides and (b) conversion materials, such as elemental sulfur. We demonstrate the importance of using operando/in-situ techniques in examining the microstructural changes of the electrodes under various operating conditions, in both macro and micro-scales. These techniques also reveal the working and the degradation mechanisms of the electrodes and the possible side reactions involved. The comprehension of these mechanisms is fundamental for ameliorating the electrode materials, enhancing the battery performance and lengthening its cycling life.

After an introduction to lithium insertion compounds and the principles of Li-ion cells, we present a comparative study of the physical and electrochemical properties of positive electrodes used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Electrode materials include three different classes of lattices according to the dimensionality of the Li+ ion motion in them: olivine, layered transition-metal oxides and spinel frameworks. Their advantages and disadvantages are compared with emphasis on synthesis difficulties, electrochemical stability, faradaic performance and security issues.

The main challenges facing rechargeable batteries today are: (1) increasing the electrode capacity; (2) prolonging the cycle life; (3) enhancing the rate performance and (4) insuring their safety. Significant efforts have been devoted to improve the present electrode materials as well as to develop and design new high performance electrodes. All of the efforts are based on the understanding of the materials, their working mechanisms, the impact of the structure and reaction mechanism on electrochemical performance. Various operando/in-situ methods are applied in studying rechargeable batteries to gain a better understanding of the crystal structure of the electrode materials and their behaviors during charge-discharge under various conditions. In the present review, we focus on applying operando X-ray techniques to investigate electrode materials, including the working mechanisms of different structured materials, the effect of size, cycling rate and temperature on the reaction mechanisms, the thermal stability of the electrodes, the degradation mechanism and the optimization of material synthesis. We demonstrate the importance of using operando/in-situ XRD and its combination with other techniques in examining the microstructural changes of the electrodes under various operating conditions, in both macro and atomic-scales. These results reveal the working and the degradation mechanisms of the electrodes and the possible side reactions involved, which are essential for improving the present materials and developing new materials for high performance and long cycle life batteries.

We report the analysis of comb-like polymers by solid-state NMR. The polymers were previously evaluated as solid-polymer-electrolytes (SPE) for lithium-polymer-metal batteries that have suitable ionic conductivity at 60 °C. We propose to develop a correlation between 13C solid-state NMR measurements and phase segregation. 13C solid-state NMR is a perfect tool for differentiating polymer phases with fast or slow motions. 7Li was used to monitor the motion of lithium ions in the polymer, and activation energies were calculated.

Blended cathode materials made by mixing LiFePO4 (LFP) with LiMnPO4 (LMP) or LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) that exhibit either high specific energy and high rate capability were investigated. The layered blend LMP–LFP and the physically mixed blend NMC–LFP are evaluated in terms of particle morphology and electrochemical performance. Results indicate that the LMP–LFP (66:33) blend has a better discharge rate than the LiMn1−yFeyPO4 with the same composition (y = 0.33), and NMC–LFP (70:30) delivers a remarkable stable capacity over 125 cycles. Finally, in situ voltage measurement methods were applied for the evaluation of the phase evolution of blended cathodes and gradual changes in cell behavior upon cycling. We also discuss through these examples the promising development of blends as future electrodes for new generations of Li-ion batteries.