Higher, Stronger, Better… A Review of 5 Volt Cathode Materials for Advanced Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract The ever‐increasing demand for high‐performing, economical, and safe power storage for portable electronics and electric vehicles stimulates R&D in the field of chemical power sources. In the past two decades, lithium‐ion technology has proven itself a most robust technology, which delivers high energy and power capabilities. At the same time, current technology requires that the energy and power capabilities of Li‐ion batteries be ‘beefed up’ beyond the existing state of the art. Increasing the battery voltage is one of the ways to improve battery energy density; in Li‐ion cells, the objective of current research is to develop a 5‐volt cell, and at the same time to maintain high specific charge capacity, excellent cycling, and safety. Since current anode materials possess working potentials fairly close to the potential of a lithium metal, the focus is on the development of cathode materials. This work reviews and analyzes the current state of the art, achievements, and challenges in the field of high‐voltage cathode materials for Li‐ion cells. Some suggestions regarding possible approaches for future development in the field are also presented.