Abstract
Due to their rather low molecular weight and their favorable electrochemical and solid‐state properties, first row transition metal oxides seem to be specially attractive as cathode materials in electrochemical energy storage systems. Therefore, we undertook a detailed overview, covering electrochemical, conductivity, ion diffusivity, spectroscopic, and other physico‐chemical data on metal oxides in relation to their behavior in batteries. Metal oxide‐based primary batteries have achieved a high technological level and yield energy densities of up to 300 Wh kg−1 or 880 Wh l−1. Oxide‐based secondary batteries, on the other hand, typically yield less than 100 Wh kg−1. Based on the present review, V, Cr, Mn, and Co oxides seem to be the most promising solid‐state cathode materials for future high performance secondary batteries.