Batteries articles from across Nature Portfolio

Thermal stability in high-nickel cathodes has been a long-standing concern due to the lack of standardized assessments. Now, research identifies key factors that trigger thermal runaway and introduces a thermal stability index to help guide the development of safer cathodes.

A non-flammable electrolyte formulation enables long-life and high-energy sodium-based batteries.

Cheaper and more sustainable batteries are key to decarbonize the global energy system, and sodium-ion batteries that use far fewer critical materials are an important option. Research now shows that rapidly improving techno-economics of sodium-ion batteries could soon make them competitive with lithium-ion phosphate batteries under a range of scenarios.

Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering measurements suggest that the oxidized oxygen species in high-energy Li-rich oxide cathodes are trapped molecular O₂, which is also observed in O-redox-inactive materials. This suggests that resonant X-ray inelastic scattering measurements generate these species, and molecular O₂ is not responsible for voltage hysteresis and decay.

O3-type sodium anion-redox cathodes show promise but are hard to synthesize due to unclear mechanisms. Here, authors elucidate the role of oxygen conditions, enabling O3-Na[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ synthesis and developing Ti-substituted with capacities >190 mAh·g^-1.

The use of aqueous Zn-ion batteries is hindered by parasitic reactions, dendrite formation, and low Coulombic efficiency of Zn metal electrode. Here, authors regulate the electrolyte ions diffusion via ion-separation accelerating channel through self-assembly of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(acrylic acid).

Initially anode-free design can obtain the maximum energy density of sodium metal batteries. Here, authors construct a highly ordered and regularly arranged Al(100) single crystal current collector, achieving uniform reversible sodium deposition capability and long cycle performance.

High-nickel oxide cathodes are important for automotive lithium batteries but face thermal instability challenges. This study analyses a range of materials, quantifying how the cathode chemistry, nickel content, morphology and state of charge dictate the stability, and proposes a thermal stability index.

Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (NVP/C) demonstrates outstanding low-temperature lithium-ion battery performance, retaining up to 86% capacity at −20 °C due to its fast ionic conductive structure, reduced particle size, and robust cycling stability. Exceptional resilience and rate capability highlight its potential for extreme environments.

Thermal stability in high-nickel cathodes has been a long-standing concern due to the lack of standardized assessments. Now, research identifies key factors that trigger thermal runaway and introduces a thermal stability index to help guide the development of safer cathodes.

A non-flammable electrolyte formulation enables long-life and high-energy sodium-based batteries.

An article in Nature Communications reports an aqueous processing solution, based on the kosmotropic effect, that enables the sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cathodes.

Cheaper and more sustainable batteries are key to decarbonize the global energy system, and sodium-ion batteries that use far fewer critical materials are an important option. Research now shows that rapidly improving techno-economics of sodium-ion batteries could soon make them competitive with lithium-ion phosphate batteries under a range of scenarios.

Improving the solid–electrolyte interface at the lithium-metal interface is key to stabilizing rechargeable metal batteries. Now, stabilizing the cathode electrolyte interface through molecular optimization of the salt anion is shown to support the formation of a robust inorganic polymer and conductive interface, enabling high energy and power densities at various current densities and temperatures.

Mixed conductors streamline ion and electron pathways, boosting the capacity of sulfur electrodes in all-solid-state Li–S batteries.