Nano-ionics in the context of lithium batteries

In this paper, we highlight the field of nano-ionics which in contrast to the well established field of nano-electronics is still in status nascendi. We present some of our recent findings of different physical phenomena in the field of nano-ionics with special emphasis in the context of lithium batteries, addressing the following anomalies in various properties: (a) enhanced storage, Coulombic efficiency and excess storage at low potential due to interfacial insertion reaction, (b) thermodynamic aspects giving rise to excess cell voltage and curved shapes instead of plateau regions during multiphase co-existence and (c) transport behavior in a new class of soft matter electrolytes that combines high ionic conductivities at room temperature with the favorable properties of 'soft matter'. Thus we emphasise here that the nano-ionics is relevant not only for fundamental science, but also important for technological applications. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.