Scientific Achievement
In this perspective, we highlight some of the recent progress and uncertainty in elucidating capacity contributions and accompanying mechanisms for different charge carriers. We then discuss cell balancing and increasing metal anode utilization as major remaining challenges, and propose design strategies and future directions for realizing practical MV metal-ion batteries.
Significance and Impact
Establishing realistic performance expectations for multivalent metal-ion battery chemistries at the electrode and full cell levels remains an intensely debated topic in the field. This perspective provides insight into some of this ambiguity and design strategies toward realizing practical MV-ion batteries that can complement or eclipse existing Li-ion battery systems for particular applications.
Research Details
- Discussion of possible charge carriers in MV-ion batteries (H+, MV-ion, structural ion, anion, and charged solvates/complexes) and a highlight of current and future characterization needed to distinguish contributions
- A direct link is drawn between energy density and increasing metal anode utilization, which places emphasis on the development of more efficient electrolytes for MV-metal (Zn, Mg, Al, etc.) anodes.
- Development of positive electrode materials with higher capacities and operating voltages will be necessary from a cell engineering perspective to achieve practical performance metrics.
