However, the ever-increasing demand for energy storage devices with improved performance and stability in all the above-mentioned sectors as well as in transportation (electric vehicles), grid storage (large energy storage and power levelling), electronics in space applications (satellites, new missions), and implanted medical devices (e.g., implantable cardioverter defibrillators, pacemakers) is motivating the scientific community to develop new chemistries, compositions, and morphologies of electrode materials.

Currently, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)—the most widely used electrochemical energy storage system of today—are used only in a limited number of applications because of power densities and fire safety issues. For example, electric vehicles will benefit from energy storage devices with high charging/discharging rate capabilities (power density) for acceleration or for energy management (recharging during vehicle braking).