Challenges and Benefits of Post-Lithium-ion Batteries

At present, rechargeable batteries composed of sodium, magnesium and aluminum are gaining attention as potentially less toxic and more economical alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. From this perspective, the last two decades have seen a surge of reports on various anodes and cathodes for post‐lithium‐ion batteries, including sodium-, magnesium‐, and aluminum‐ion batteries. Moreover, the new electrochemical concept of dual‐ion batteries, such as magnesium–sodium and aluminum–graphite dual-ion batteries, has recently attracted considerable attention. In this focus article, the operational mechanisms of post‐lithium‐ion batteries are discussed and compared with lithium-ion technology, along with core challenges currently limiting their development and benefits of their practical deployment.