Fundamentals and Challenges of Lithium Ion Batteries at Temperatures between −40 and 60 °C

Abstract Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) continuously prove themselves to be the main power source in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. To ensure environmental sustainability, LIBs must be capable of performing well at extreme temperatures, that is, between −40 and 60 °C. In this review, the recent important progress and advances in the subzero and elevated temperature operations of LIBs is comprehensively summarized from a materials perspective. In the scenario of subzero temperatures, limitations, electrolytes, anodes, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI); cathodes and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI); and binders are thoroughly discussed to explore the fundamentals and basics that underlie the decay in electrochemical performance and how the chemistry, physics, and electrochemistry are correlated with the materials and components that interact with each other. In the case of high temperatures limitations, the thermal stability of the key materials and components are reviewed, and then the reaction thermodynamics and kinetics of the anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and their interactions are described using the highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO)/lowest unoccupied molecular orbit (LUMO), and are extensively discussed. The prospect of combining the extreme temperature poles in a single cell by introducing appropriate electrolytes and additives is discussed.