Component Degradation in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Their Sustainability: A Concise Overview

Researchers are presently involved in the creation of materials for high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, with a particular emphasis on their practical uses. However, it is important to acknowledge that the components of lithium-ion batteries frequently undergo substantial loss of capacity during the cycling process, which hinders their potential for becoming commercially viable. Lithium-ion battery electrodes can degrade due to electrochemical surface reactions that occur with the electrolyte at the interface between the electrode and electrolyte, as well as from structural degradation within the electrode particles. The presence of structural degradation can be ascribed to the development of imperfections or unstable states, which are expedited by electrochemical processes arising from the electrolyte if unstable states emerge near the electrode/electrolyte contact. Underlying degradation mechanisms can enhance improvements in the electrochemical properties of the electrodes. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the various degradation mechanisms that impact the components of lithium-ion batteries to improve energy efficiency. It also discusses innovative methodologies used to analyze the degradation phenomena that occur at the surface of the electrode and within individual battery components.