Crystallography of Active Particles Defining Battery Electrochemistry

Crystallographic features of battery active particles impose an inherent limitation on their electrochemical figures of merit namely capacity, roundtrip efficiency, longevity, safety, and recyclability. Therefore, crystallographic properties of these particles are increasingly measured not only to clarify the principal pathways by which they store and release charge but to realize the full potential of batteries. Here, state-of-the-art advances in Li⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ chemistries are reviewed to reiterate the links between crystallography variations and battery electrochemical trends. These manifest at different length scales and are accompanied by a multiplicity of processes such as doping, cation disorder, directional crystal growth and extra redox. In light of this, an emphasis is placed on the need for more accurate correlations between crystallographic structure and battery electrochemistry in order to harness crystallographic beneficiation into electrode material design and manufacture, translating into high-performance and safe energy storage solutions.