Scientists from Skoltech, in collaboration with French researchers, have made an exciting discovery that could lead to better lithium-ion batteries—ones that store 30% more energy.
Their study, published in Nature Materials, challenges a long-standing idea about why these next-generation batteries lose efficiency over time.
Surprisingly, they found that the problem may have been caused by the experiments meant to study it!
The hope for better batteries
Lithium-ion batteries power many of our everyday devices, from smartphones to electric cars.
As the world moves toward cleaner energy, scientists are working to improve battery technology.
One promising solution is lithium-rich cathodes, which could store much more energy than today’s commonly used lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries.
However, a big challenge has prevented these batteries from becoming widely available: Over time, their voltage and capacity fade, making them less effective.
For years, researchers believed this was caused by oxygen atoms in the battery forming stable O₂ molecules—the same type found in the air we breathe.
Once these molecules formed, they were thought to be nearly impossible to reverse, causing permanent damage to the battery’s performance.
Several experiments using X-ray technology appeared to confirm this theory, leading scientists to believe it was a major roadblock to improving lithium-ion batteries.
A surprising discovery
However, the new research from Skoltech and their French collaborators has turned this idea upside down.
The team carefully examined the results of past experiments and discovered that the O₂ molecules seen in battery materials were not actually a natural part of the battery’s aging process. Instead, they were likely created by the X-rays used in those very experiments!
Assistant Professor Dmitry Aksyonov from Skoltech Energy explained:
“Our study proves that the so-called molecular oxygen problem isn’t real. The O₂ molecules found in previous research were actually caused by X-ray exposure. This means we need to rethink how we approach battery improvement.”
What this means for the future
Now that the molecular oxygen theory has been disproven, scientists can focus on improving battery materials in a more effective way.
Instead of worrying about O₂ formation, they can work on stabilizing what is called “structural oxygen”—oxygen atoms that stay inside the battery’s crystal structure but lose an electron during use.
This new understanding will help researchers develop better strategies to prevent battery degradation. By balancing oxygen oxidation, metal loss, and structural stability, they can create longer-lasting and more efficient lithium-ion batteries.
According to Research Scientist Andrey Geondzhian, this discovery was only possible through a combination of experiments, computer modeling, and theory. By working together, scientists were able to find the real cause of the problem and open new doors for battery innovation.
Skoltech Energy Director, Professor Artem Abakumov, summed it up:
“This breakthrough gives us hope for stronger, longer-lasting batteries. We now have a clearer path to making lithium-ion batteries even better for the future.”
This discovery could have a huge impact on energy storage, electric vehicles, and portable devices—bringing us one step closer to a cleaner, more efficient world.
