Atomic-Scale Structure-Property Relationships in Lithium Ion Battery Electrode Materials

Li ion batteries are important components of portable devices, electric vehicles, and smart grids owing to their high energy density, excellent cyclic performance, and safe operation. However, further development of electrode materials for these batteries is needed to satisfy continually increasing performance demands. Typically, both the charge/discharge kinetics and structural stability of these electrode materials depend on the transport and storage properties of the Li ions. High-spatial-resolution information on structural changes and on the strong interaction between electrons and ions is essential for a better understanding of the electrochemical performance of rechargeable batteries. In this article, we review the known atomic-scale structural changes of these electrode materials during the charge/discharge process, with special emphasis on ion/electron interactions.