New research reveals how fundamental chemistry shapes battery performance, safety, and lifespan.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have published a paper in Nature Energy explaining the chemistry that controls how advanced batteries perform and how they can be improved.
Led by Arumugam Manthiram, professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, the study focuses on oxide cathodes, a key component in lithium-ion and emerging sodium-ion batteries. These materials largely determine how much energy a battery can store, how long it lasts, and how safe it is.
The team identifies three factors that shape battery performance: how electrons are arranged in metal ions, how atoms bond, and how the material reacts with its environment, electrolyte. These factors influence everything from energy output and charging speed to degradation and safety.
“Understanding deeply these relationships allows us to design better materials from the ground up,” said Manthiram.
The paper highlights a major challenge. Materials that store more energy often become less stable over time. Cathodes with high nickel contents, for example, can boost energy but are more prone to side reactions with electrolyte that cause gas release, structural damage, and capacity loss.
The researchers also compare lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion cathodes offer lower cost but face greater stability challenges.
The findings point to new strategies to build more efficient, durable, and safe batteries.
