As time goes on, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries lose their ability to hold a charge, turning from useful power sources into useless bricks. Recent research suggests that this decline may be due to the presence of hidden hydrogen leaks within the battery. These leaks lead to a series of chemical reactions that hinder the battery’s performance and lifespan. Gang Wan, a materials physicist and chemist at Stanford University, explains that even when not in use, the battery continues to lose energy due to these issues.
Past studies focused on lithium ion movement as the primary cause of energy loss in batteries. However, new research indicates that hydrogen atoms may also play a significant role in this process. By replacing hydrogen with deuterium in cell-sized batteries and using advanced imaging techniques, researchers were able to confirm that hydrogen is indeed a key factor in cathode charge loss.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the complex chemistry occurring inside batteries and opens up possibilities for improving battery life by avoiding hydrogen-related reactions.
2024-09-27 08:00:00
Originally posted on www.sciencenews.org