Lithium ion batteries - Working mechanism, state-of-the-art and perspectives

The lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) powering our mobile phones and laptop computers represent the culmination of over two centuries of discovery, research and development. While fundamental work in electrochemical energy storage was laid by pioneers such as Galvani, Volta, Faraday and Daniell, it was Davenport who, back in 1835, invented the first working electric motor powered by a voltaic pile. Planté’s discovery of the first rechargeable battery, the lead-acid battery, enabled the development of the first electric vehicles of the 20th century, in addition to being used in combustion engine vehicles. Other battery systems soon followed, including nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, and lithium technologies. However, it took until the last decade of the 20th century to see the commercial development of rechargeable batteries with lithium-ion technology emerge. This delay is mainly due to the development of robust technology enabling safe and repeatable recharging of the battery over numerous cycles. Since then, the market for Li-ion batteries has grown exponentially, and Li-ion batteries have become pivotal to the rise of handheld consumer electronics, laptop computers, and electric vehicles.