About this Research Topic
Commercial lithium-ion batteries using Ni- and Co-based intercalation-type cathodes and graphite anodes are suffering from low specific energy, high cost and high toxicity. Currently, the high costs of Ni and Co remain one of the critical barriers to the widespread scale-up of battery energy storage systems. Low theoretical capacities of such intercalation compounds and graphite are limiting the energy densities and specific energies of practical cells. However, the growing market for portable energy storage is undergoing a rapid expansion as new applications demand next-generation batteries to be lighter, smaller, safer and cheaper.
Recently, battery materials based on conversion reactions have attracted great attention for both Li and Na batteries because of their high theoretical capacity, originating from multiple electron transfer per redox center. Therefore, conversion reaction materials are very promising candidates for achieving next-generation batteries with higher energy densities. However, most of conversion type materials are facing severe limitations in terms of low reversibility, large voltage hysteresis, detrimental active material dissolution and poor cycle life. Continuous rapid progress in performance improvements of such materials is essential to utilize them in future applications.
Over the past decade, to overcome the discussed challenges and enable the application of transformative conversion-type materials with higher specific and volumetric energies in rechargeable batteries, various strategies including discovery of new materials, particle architecture design, electrolytes optimization, as well as architecture design of the cell components have been utilized to mitigate or overcome conversion materials’ limitations. In this research topic, we are full of hope for future developments including both fundamental and application studies on conversion type materials.
This research topic aims to enhance the reversibility of conversion reaction, rate capability and cycle stability of such conversion type materials. We welcome submissions of both original research and review/perspective articles that contribute to the development of new materials, structure and electrolytes, as well as the understanding of conversion chemistry and interfaces during cycles.
Areas to be covered in this research topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Novel active materials for rechargeable Li and Na batteries
• New designs of particle morphology, size, composition and architecture for conversion materials
• Optimization and development of electrolytes for conversion materials
• New understanding of conversion chemistry
• New studies on electrode-electrolyte interface
Recently, battery materials based on conversion reactions have attracted great attention for both Li and Na batteries because of their high theoretical capacity, originating from multiple electron transfer per redox center. Therefore, conversion reaction materials are very promising candidates for achieving next-generation batteries with higher energy densities. However, most of conversion type materials are facing severe limitations in terms of low reversibility, large voltage hysteresis, detrimental active material dissolution and poor cycle life. Continuous rapid progress in performance improvements of such materials is essential to utilize them in future applications.
Over the past decade, to overcome the discussed challenges and enable the application of transformative conversion-type materials with higher specific and volumetric energies in rechargeable batteries, various strategies including discovery of new materials, particle architecture design, electrolytes optimization, as well as architecture design of the cell components have been utilized to mitigate or overcome conversion materials’ limitations. In this research topic, we are full of hope for future developments including both fundamental and application studies on conversion type materials.
This research topic aims to enhance the reversibility of conversion reaction, rate capability and cycle stability of such conversion type materials. We welcome submissions of both original research and review/perspective articles that contribute to the development of new materials, structure and electrolytes, as well as the understanding of conversion chemistry and interfaces during cycles.
Areas to be covered in this research topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Novel active materials for rechargeable Li and Na batteries
• New designs of particle morphology, size, composition and architecture for conversion materials
• Optimization and development of electrolytes for conversion materials
• New understanding of conversion chemistry
• New studies on electrode-electrolyte interface
Keywords: Conversion, Cathode, Anode, Battery, Lithium
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.
