Two-Dimensional Materials to Address the Lithium Battery Challenges

Despite the ever-growing demand in safe and high power/energy density of Li+ ion and Li metal rechargeable batteries (LIBs), materials-related challenges are responsible for the majority of performance degradation in such batteries. These challenges include electrochemically induced phase transformations, repeated volume expansion and stress concentrations at interfaces, poor electrical and mechanical properties, low ionic conductivity, dendritic growth of Li, oxygen release and transition metal dissolution of cathodes, polysulfide shuttling in Li-sulfur batteries, and poor reversibility of lithium peroxide/superoxide products in Li-O2 batteries. Owing to compelling physicochemical and structural properties, in recent years two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as promising candidates to address the challenges in LIBs. This Review highlights the cutting-edge advances of LIBs by using 2D materials as cathodes, anodes, separators, catalysts, current collectors, and electrolytes. It is shown that 2D materials can protect the electrode materials from pulverization, improve the synergy of Li+ ion deposition, facilitate Li+ ion flux through electrolyte and electrode/electrolyte interfaces, enhance thermal stability, block the lithium polysulfide species, and facilitate the formation/decomposition of Li-O2 discharge products. This work facilitates the design of safe Li batteries with high energy and power density by using 2D materials.