A two fold increase in energy density will be required over the next 30 years, according to one scientist reviewing the challenges facing lithium-ion battery development.
Dr Jean-Marie Tarascon, a materials scientist of the Laboratoire réactivité et chimie des solides (LRCS) at Université de Picardie Jules Verne, outlines that for applications from which cost and material resources are crucial, organic li-ion and na-ion will play an important role for years to come.
In his paper, Dr Tarascon suggests that there is a colossal task ahead if batteries are to really compete with petroleum as an increase by a factor of 15 is needed for the energy delivered by a battery to match that of a litre of petrol. He says that the energy density of batteries has only increased by a factor of five over the last two centuries and the chances of a 10-fold increase over the next few years are slim without unexpected research breakthroughs.
However, he does believe there is room for optimism if there is a pursuit of paradigm shifts while also looking into materials sustainability – such as ways to prepare electrode materials through eco-efficient processes or the use of organic not inorganic materials and new chemistries.
He believes that the chances of drastically improving lithium-ion cell energy density are primarily rooted in cathode materials that are highly oxidising or larger capacity.
In the long term he believes that improving lithium-ion technology and preserving its sustainable aspect will need out of the box solutions. However, with an increasing number of groups becoming involved with the system there is promise. He warns however that solutions need to be found quickly and there is a need for cross sharing of information between national programmes to deal with energy related matters.
