Special Issue "Emerging Topics in Advanced Electrode Materials for Metal-Ion Batteries"

Dear Colleagues,

Metal-ion batteries are now a promising alternative to LIBs for economic and safety reasons. This scenario is illustrated by the advances made in the field of Na-ion batteries, which already reach interesting levels of performance despite some limitations. Large-scale applications and the growing demand for energy storage reinforce the interest in metal-ion batteries, including a wide range of systems: Na, K, Mg, Zn and Ca-ion batteries with the double challenge of finding for each system an appropriate positive and negative electrode. In addition,  progress is of unequal importance depending on the system considered. This field of research allows the reinvestigation of the electrochemical insertion properties of well-known or new compounds towards monovalent (Na⁺, K⁺) and divalent cations (Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺), generally using organic electrolytes. Finding an appropriate electrolyte remains a major issue, especially for divalent cations.

Most reviews on Metal-ion batteries mainly focus on the electrodes and battery performances but often neglect a comprehensive study of the reaction mechanisms involved. Little attention is paid to the comparison with lithiated analogs, in terms of structural changes, thermodynamics, kinetics, cation transport properties, CEI/SEI layers, etc. Insertion chemistry would be greatly enriched by such discussions, which should, therefore, stimulate the emergence of new ideas for finding high-performance electrode materials for M-ion batteries.

This Special Issue provides an update on the electrochemical and structural properties presented in outstanding positive or negative electrode materials for the M-ion batteries (M = Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺). In addition to performance in terms of capacity, energy density and cycle life, the structure–electrochemistry relationships should be at the heart of the discussion.

Research topics will cover advanced and/or original cathode and anode materials including oxides, polyanionic frameworks, chalcogenides etc. Organic electrolytes will be considered, as well as some specific aqueous electrolytes such as WiSE or HCE. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jean Pierre Pereira-Ramos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• metal-ion batteries
• sodium/potassium-ion batteries
• magnesium/zinc/calcium-ion batteries
• cathode/anode material
• reaction mechanism
• structural changes
• electrochemical performance
• insertion compounds
• transition metal oxides
• polyanionic frameworks
• electrolyte optimization