CHAPTER 5:Oxide-based Cathode Materials for Li- and Na-ion Batteries

As one of the key electrode materials for alkaline-ion rechargeable batteries, lithium- and sodium-ion containing oxide-based materials play an important role in determining the energy density, cyclic stability, and rate capability of the batteries. However, their performance has yet to meet society's demands for fast-growing portable electronics, or as power battery for electric vehicles (EVs) and storage battery for smart grids. Advanced characterization techniques are very powerful tools for understanding the complex structural evolutions and their correlation with the electrochemical performance of cathode materials in rechargeable batteries. Specially, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy plays a crucial role in systematically understanding the local structural evolutions, structure–property relationship, and decay mechanism of electrode materials. In this chapter, we highlight the ssNMR applications in the oxide-based cathodes for both lithium and sodium ions batteries. Specifically, we discuss structural features and electrochemical properties of various typical layered oxides materials at the beginning of each sub-section, followed by addressing the unique advantages of ssNMR using specific examples.