Chapter 6. Perspectives in Lithium Batteries
Résumé
Li-ion batteries still fall short of fulfilling the ever-increasing storage needs while keeping their environmental footprint as low as possible. In this chapter, without being exhaustive we tackle what next promising Li-based battery technologies could be; through the implementation of alternative (electro)chemistries including the use of more abundant components and/or less polluting processing solutions. Li-chalcogen (O2 and S) batteries are presented herein as quite promising systems especially for the market of electrically powered vehicles thanks to particularly high (expected) energy density values. Li-aqueous batteries, beyond the obvious environmental benefit in using water-based electrolytes, offer also some attractive perspectives to promote low-cost electrical storage solutions, potentially interesting for stationary applications. Finally, electroactive organic compounds could play an important role in the forthcoming battery technologies, since they exhibit several assets such as the possibility of being prepared from renewable resources and eco-friendly processes coupled with a simplified recycling management.