Review and analysis of nanostructured olivine-based lithium recheargeable batteries: Status and trends

► The LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn) performance as a cathode of Li-ion batteries is reviewed. ► The state of the art in the understanding of these compounds is reported. ► Misunderstanding of size effects down to the nanoscale are outlined. ► The improvements expected from the nano-structure are discussed. ► The most recent results and novel routes are to improve the performance of Li-ion batteries in the near-future are discussed.