Breakthrough: Disorder Boosts Battery Life

An international research team, led by TU Delft, has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the performance of Li-ion batteries. The team found that introducing local disorder in the oxide cathode material can significantly increase the number of times these batteries can be charged and discharged. Their findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, have the potential to reshape the landscape of energy storage technologies.

Rechargeable batteries play a crucial role in the ongoing energy transition, particularly with the growing availability of renewable energy sources. Li-ion batteries, known for their high energy density and widespread use, are at the forefront of this transition. However, the atomic structure of the layered oxides used in these batteries can become unstable during charging, leading to a decrease in battery cycle life.

To address this challenge, the 'Storage of Electrochemical Energy' group at TU Delft collaborated with researchers from around the world. Lead author of the study, Qidi Wang, explains, "The cathode material in Li-ion batteries typically has a well-ordered structure. Through our research, we developed a novel synthesis method to introduce chemical short-range disorder into the material, enhancing its stability during battery operation."

The enhanced structural stability resulting from the introduction of local disorder led to a remarkable improvement in the battery's performance. After 200 charging/discharging cycles, the capacity retention of the battery nearly doubled. Moreover, the increased charge transfer within the electrode led to shorter charging times, a critical factor in the usability of rechargeable batteries.

Looking ahead, the implications of this research are significant. The development of a new generation of Li-ion batteries with improved performance characteristics could lead to lower manufacturing costs and reduced environmental impact over the battery's lifetime. The team is now exploring the possibility of applying the same design principles to create cathodes using raw materials that are less scarce, aiming to decrease the reliance on critical materials like cobalt and nickel in battery production.