Amorphous Materials for Lithium-Ion and Post-Lithium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium-ion and post-lithium-ion batteries are crucial for sustainable energy systems.
• Solid-state electrolytes are gaining attention, with amorphous materials emerging as promising alternatives to crystalline ones.
• Amorphous materials offer advantages like increased ion storage, enhanced diffusion, and improved volume change tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in amorphous materials for lithium-ion and post-lithium-ion batteries.
• To highlight the structure-property correlations (electrochemical, mechanical, chemical, thermal) of amorphous battery materials.
• To discuss characterization methods, the role of disorder, and future commercialization challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advances in amorphous battery materials.
• Analysis of experimental and theoretical simulation studies.
• Examination of conventional and emerging characterization techniques for amorphous materials.

Main Results:

• Amorphous materials enhance ion storage sites and diffusion channels, leading to improved battery performance.
• Disorder in amorphous materials positively influences the electrochemical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties.
• Amorphous materials show potential in various battery chemistries, including lithium, sodium, potassium, and zinc.

Conclusions:

• Amorphous materials are vital for developing next-generation rechargeable batteries.
• Understanding the role of disorder is key to optimizing amorphous battery material design.
• Further research and development are needed to overcome challenges for commercializing amorphous battery technologies.