Deformation during Electrosorption and Insertion-Type Charge Storage: Origins, Characterization, and Design of Materials for High Power

Ion electrosorption and insertion form the basis of two commercialized electrochemical energy storage technologies: electric double-layer capacitors and lithium ion batteries. These processes are also of interest for emerging applications in water treatment, critical element extraction, and neuromorphic computing. The kinetics of electrosorption and insertion are intimately related to the mechanical deformation of the host material. This Perspective discusses the following: (1) similarities and differences in the deformation response of materials due to ion electrosorption and insertion, (2) correlation between mechanical and electrochemical response via several operando techniques, and (3) how the understanding of deformation can guide the design of new electrosorption and ion insertion materials with faster kinetics.