About this Research Topic
This Topic has been realized in collaboration with Dr. Matteo Bianchini, Postdoctoral Researcher in the KIT/BASF Joint Laboratory BELLA at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been commercially used for powering portable electronic devices, but the industry is now facing challenges due to increasing demands on large-scale battery applications. It is still debatable if the availability of Li resources can meet these demands. The need for expensive cobalt in lithium cathodes is also problematic. In this respect, various rechargeable battery technologies have been investigated as alternative systems, including Na-ion, K-ion, and multivalent-ion (Mg, Ca, etc) batteries. Na, K, Mg, and Ca resources are much more earth-abundant than Li and thus they have lower prices. More importantly, those alternative rechargeable battery technologies do not necessarily use Co in cathodes, and there are many Co-free cathodes reported. Nevertheless, their electrochemical performance is still inferior to LIBs and needs to be improved.
Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries have been extensively studied for large-scale applications (i.e., electric vehicles and grids) due to their low cost. However, their energy density is still far below currently commercialized LIBs. To compete with LIBs, they need to have an advantage in cost per energy ($/kWh), meaning that higher energy density is required for Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries. Therefore, the current status, challenges, and opportunities of Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries need to be carefully evaluated. Further research efforts should be devoted to development of high-performance electrode materials (cathodes and anodes) and electrolytes, especially to increase their energy density. Li/S and Li/O2 batteries have also been highlighted as low cost and high energy battery systems because they use light and inexpensive elements (C, S and O) in cathodes. But, their poor cycling stability and rate capability are critical challenges and need to be improved.
This Research Topic will focus on the development of electrodes and electrolytes for beyond Li-ion batteries in mid- to large-scale applications, including Na-ion, K-ion, and multivalent-ion batteries, Li/S, and Li/O2 batteries. The following types of manuscripts will be considered: review articles, mini-review articles, and full research articles.
Themes covered include, but are not limited to:
• High energy cathodes for Na-ion, K-ion and multivalent-ion batteries
• High capacity anodes for Na-ion, K-ion and multivalent-ion batteries
• Electrolytes with wide electrochemical stability window
• Electrode engineering to improve cycling stability and rate capability
• Other beyond Li-ion batteries, including Li/S, and Li/O2 batteries
Other themes than aforementioned ones are also welcome if it is related to beyond Li-ion batteries for mid-to large-scale applications.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been commercially used for powering portable electronic devices, but the industry is now facing challenges due to increasing demands on large-scale battery applications. It is still debatable if the availability of Li resources can meet these demands. The need for expensive cobalt in lithium cathodes is also problematic. In this respect, various rechargeable battery technologies have been investigated as alternative systems, including Na-ion, K-ion, and multivalent-ion (Mg, Ca, etc) batteries. Na, K, Mg, and Ca resources are much more earth-abundant than Li and thus they have lower prices. More importantly, those alternative rechargeable battery technologies do not necessarily use Co in cathodes, and there are many Co-free cathodes reported. Nevertheless, their electrochemical performance is still inferior to LIBs and needs to be improved.
Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries have been extensively studied for large-scale applications (i.e., electric vehicles and grids) due to their low cost. However, their energy density is still far below currently commercialized LIBs. To compete with LIBs, they need to have an advantage in cost per energy ($/kWh), meaning that higher energy density is required for Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries. Therefore, the current status, challenges, and opportunities of Na, K, and multivalent ion batteries need to be carefully evaluated. Further research efforts should be devoted to development of high-performance electrode materials (cathodes and anodes) and electrolytes, especially to increase their energy density. Li/S and Li/O2 batteries have also been highlighted as low cost and high energy battery systems because they use light and inexpensive elements (C, S and O) in cathodes. But, their poor cycling stability and rate capability are critical challenges and need to be improved.
This Research Topic will focus on the development of electrodes and electrolytes for beyond Li-ion batteries in mid- to large-scale applications, including Na-ion, K-ion, and multivalent-ion batteries, Li/S, and Li/O2 batteries. The following types of manuscripts will be considered: review articles, mini-review articles, and full research articles.
Themes covered include, but are not limited to:
• High energy cathodes for Na-ion, K-ion and multivalent-ion batteries
• High capacity anodes for Na-ion, K-ion and multivalent-ion batteries
• Electrolytes with wide electrochemical stability window
• Electrode engineering to improve cycling stability and rate capability
• Other beyond Li-ion batteries, including Li/S, and Li/O2 batteries
Other themes than aforementioned ones are also welcome if it is related to beyond Li-ion batteries for mid-to large-scale applications.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
