Superhalogens: A Bridge between Complex Metal Hydrides and Li Ion Batteries

Complex metal hydrides and Li ion batteries play an integral role in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy. The former stores hydrogen and can provide a clean energy solution for the transportation industry, while the latter can store energy harnessed from the sun and the wind. However, considerable materials challenges remain in both cases, and research for finding solutions has traditionally followed parallel paths. In this Perspective, I show that there is a common link between these two seemingly disparate fields that can be unveiled by studying the electronic structure of the anions in complex metal hydrides and in electrolytes of Li ion batteries; they are both superhalogens. I demonstrate that considerable progress made in our understanding of superhalogens in the past decade can provide solutions to some of the materials challenges in both of these areas.