Recent advances in cathode materials for sustainability in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The development of advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density, power density and structural stability has become critical pursuit to meet the growing requirement for high efficiency energy sources for electric vehicles and electronic devices. The cathode material, being the heaviest component of LIBs and constituting over 41% of the entire cell, plays a pivotal role in determining battery performance. This work uniquely traces the evolution of cathode materials over time, revealing how advancements have shaped modern LIBs. In this paper, we emphasize the innovative approaches used to optimize the porosity, structure and morphology of cathode materials and their intimate correlation with electrochemical properties. Several cathode materials for LIBs including layered transition metal oxides, spinel oxides, olivine oxides are discussed in this review paper along with their advantages and disadvantages. This paper encourages a deeper comprehension of the electrochemical characteristics and cyclic effectiveness of materials with cathode crystal structures. Our analyses underscore the potential for next-generation cathode materials to revolutionize LIB technology, significantly lowering costs while enhancing performance.