Energy storage through intercalation reactions: electrodes for rechargeable batteries

Electrochemical energy storage has been an important enabling technology for modern electronics of all kinds, and will grow in importance as more electric vehicles and grid-scale storage systems are deployed. We briefly review the history of intercalation electrodes and basic concepts pertaining to batteries based on intercalation reactions. Then we summarize how the critical performance metrics—energy density, power density, safety and stability—relate back to electrode materials properties, and how these materials properties are related to fundamental chemical and physical structure relationships highlighted with the most recent research advancement. Challenges and avenues for further research have been highlighted throughout.