2012 Volume 80 Issue 10 Pages 695-699
Innovation in rechargeable batteries is urgently required to meet demands for application such as electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and emergency backups. Next-generation rechargeable batteries include novel rocking-chair batteries, metallic lithium/sodium batteries, metal-air batteries, and flow cell systems. In order to improve battery performances and to bring innovation in rechargeable batteries, detailed knowledge on the battery reaction is indispensable. For clarifying the reaction mechanisms in details and proposing a guideline for the improvement, it is required to understand the heterogeneity (inhomogeneity), non-equilibrium and dynamic phenomena inside batteries under operating conditions. As an example, phenomena at electrode/electrolyte interface are elucidated by using surface-sensitive X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. These analytical methods are applicable not only for the advanced LIB systems but also for totally innovative systems. Elucidating and understanding the reasons for the inactivity, slow kinetics and deterioration of LIB will be the key to open post LIB technology.
