Unlocking the Potential of Cation-Disordered Oxides for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

TLDR

Lithium batteries, once limited to portable electronics, are now key for electric vehicles and renewable grid storage, yet ion transport has traditionally been thought to require ordered electrode materials. The authors combined experimental measurements and computational modeling to identify disordered electrode materials that enable high lithium diffusion. They found that excess lithium beyond stoichiometry induces intermixing of lithium and transition metal sublattices, forming a percolation network that enhances lithium transport and improves energy density. Lee et al.

Abstract

Disorderly Flow Lithium batteries are becoming ever more important in society. While their application used to be confined to portable electronics, they are now becoming the enabling technology for electric vehicles and grid storage for renewables. Generally, the flow of lithium ions into and out of battery electrodes is thought to require ordered materials. Lee et al. (p. 519 , published online 9 January) used a combination of experimental work and computations to identify disordered electrode materials with high Li diffusion. The improved energy density properties could be attributed to compositions with excess lithium beyond the stoichiometric limit, leading to intermixing between the lithium and transition metal sublattices and the formation of a percolation network providing specific lithium transport pathways.