Breakthrough could lead to ‘big leaps’ in battery performance, scientists say

Breakthrough could lead to ‘big leaps’ in battery performance, scientists say

Researchers have announced discoveries regarding the internal behavior of lithium-ion batteries that may lead to energy storage systems that charge faster, last longer, and offer increased safety. These findings, involving both the active role of oxygen during charging and the debunking of long-held theories on battery degradation, are expected to influence the development of electronics and electric vehicles.

The Role of Oxygen in Energy Storage

A team from Warwick and Dundee universities has identified that oxygen plays a key role in how a battery stores and releases energy. This contradicts previous scientific belief that oxygen remained passive during the charging process, with most activity occurring in metal elements such as iron, cobalt, or nickel.

The researchers utilized laboratory experiments and advanced computer modelling to demonstrate that oxygen is actually an active participant in the charging and discharging process. According to the study, the level of participation varies by material:

• Layered oxides: Showed significant electron extraction from oxygen.
• Phosphates: Showed little oxygen participation.

These two types of cathodes are currently used in portable electronics, such as laptops and mobile phones, as well as electric vehicles. Dr Hrishit Banerjee, a theoretical physicist at Dundee’s faculty of science, engineering and business, stated that the research provides a new understanding of battery function at a fundamental level.

"By improving our knowledge of what is occurring at a tiny, atomic level within batteries, we can make big leaps in improving their performance in the real world,"

Dr Hrishit Banerjee, theoretical physicist, via aol.com

Dr Banerjee noted that current technologies are limited by an incomplete understanding of the physics behind why batteries fail over time. He stated that this new framework will assist in designing batteries with much longer lifetimes. These findings were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Correcting the "Molecular Oxygen" Theory

In a separate but related advancement published in Nature Materials, scientists from Skoltech and French collaborators have challenged a long-standing theory regarding efficiency loss in next-generation lithium-rich cathodes. These cathodes are viewed as promising because they could store 30% more energy than the lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries used today.

For years, the scientific community believed that voltage and capacity fade in these batteries occurred because oxygen atoms formed stable O₂ molecules. It was thought these molecules were nearly impossible to reverse, causing permanent damage. Previous experiments using X-ray technology seemed to confirm this.

However, the Skoltech team discovered that these O₂ molecules were likely created by the X-ray exposure during the experiments themselves, rather than being a natural part of the battery's aging process.

"Our study proves that the so-called molecular oxygen problem isn’t real. The O₂ molecules found in previous research were actually caused by X-ray exposure. This means we need to rethink how we approach battery improvement,"

Assistant Professor Dmitry Aksyonov, Skoltech Energy, via knowridge.com

Future Implications for Energy Tech

The combination of these discoveries allows scientists to shift their focus. Instead of attempting to stop the formation of O₂ molecules, researchers can now work on stabilizing structural oxygen—atoms that remain within the battery's crystal structure but lose an electron during use. Research Scientist Andrey Geondzhian said this was achieved through a combination of theory, computer modeling, and experiments.

Professor Artem Abakumov, Director of Skoltech Energy, stated that the breakthrough provides a clearer path to making lithium-ion batteries stronger and longer-lasting. By balancing structural stability, metal loss, and oxygen oxidation, scientists aim to create more efficient energy storage for a cleaner world.