Olivine LiFePO4: the remaining challenges for future energy storage

Key Points

• To review the remaining chemical, structural, and performance challenges of olivine-structured LiFePO4 cathodes in lithium-ion batteries and assess their viability in sodium-ion energy storage.
• Synthesized literature on the electrochemical mechanisms, synthesis constraints, and degradation pathways of olivine LiFePO4.
• Evaluated performance limitations in lithium-ion systems and structural transferability to emerging sodium-ion cathode configurations.
• Identified critical bottlenecks limiting high-rate charge capability, energy density, and low-temperature performance in lithium iron phosphate cells.
• Outlined fundamental ionic conductivity and phase-transition barriers that impede the direct adoption of olivine-type frameworks in sodium-ion batteries.