Radiation effects on materials for electrochemical energy storage systems

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Batteries and electrochemical capacitors (ECs) are vital for electric vehicles, grids, and mobile devices.
• Current energy storage technologies lack the high energy/power and durability needed for demanding applications.
• Improving energy storage material performance is crucial for advancing technologies like renewable energy storage and electric transportation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the dual role of radiation in modifying energy storage materials.
• To address the misconception that radiation invariably causes damage.
• To highlight the importance of understanding radiation effects for material enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent progress in radiation effects on energy storage materials.
• Categorization of radiation effects into defect engineering, interface engineering, degradation, and synthesis.
• Analysis of trends and future research directions.

Main Results:

• Radiation can exert both beneficial and detrimental effects on various energy materials.
• Fundamental understanding of energy loss mechanisms is critical for controlling microstructural and property changes.
• Radiation can be harnessed for defect and interface engineering, and for material synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Radiation is a viable tool for enhancing energy storage materials, contrary to common belief.
• Further research into radiation-material interactions is needed to optimize performance.
• Harnessing radiation offers a promising pathway for next-generation batteries and ECs.