Unrecoverable lattice rotation governs structural degradation of single-crystalline cathodes. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38781394/)

These scientists wanted to understand why certain materials used in batteries were losing their ability to hold a charge over time. They focused on a specific type of material called nickel-rich cathodes, which are important for making batteries that are powerful and long-lasting.

To study this, the scientists used special tools that allowed them to look very closely at the structure of these materials at the tiniest level. They discovered that in batteries made with high amounts of nickel, the structure of the material was changing in a way that made it lose its ability to store energy efficiently.

They found that tiny rotations were happening within the structure of the material, and these rotations were causing damage that couldn't be fixed. This damage was making the material weaker and less effective at holding a charge, which is why the batteries weren't working as well over time.

By understanding this process better, the scientists hope to find ways to improve these materials so that batteries can last longer and be more reliable in the future.

Huang W., Liu T., Yu L., Wang J., Zhou T., Liu J., Li T., Amine R., Xiao X., Ge M., Ma L., Ehrlich SN., Holt MV., Wen J., Amine K. Unrecoverable lattice rotation governs structural degradation of single-crystalline cathodes. Science. 2024 May 24;384(6698):912-919. doi: 10.1126/science.ado1675. Epub 2024 May 23.