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Enhanced specific energy in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries negative electrodes via Ti-O covalency-mediated low potential

Author

Listed:
  • Jun Huang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Qirui Yang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Anyi Hu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Zhu Liao

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Zhengxi Zhang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Qinfeng Zheng

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Zhouhong Ren

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Shun Zheng

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yixiao Zhang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Xiaolong Yang

    (Chongqing University)

  • Zhenming Xu

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Le Zhang

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Daming Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wen Wen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xi Liu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Akihiro Orita

    (Ltd)

  • Nagahiro Saito

    (Nagoya University)

  • Liguang Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yongyao Xia

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
    Fudan University)

  • Liwei Chen

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jun Lu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Li Yang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

Developing lithium-ion batteries with high specific energy and fast-charging capability requires overcoming the potential-capacity trade-off in negative electrodes. Conventional fast-charging materials (e.g., Li4Ti5O12, TiNb2O7) operate at high potentials (>1.5 V vs. Li+/Li) to circumvent lithium plating, yet this compromises specific energy. A viable strategy for enhancing the specific energy is to reduce the potential while avoiding the lithium plating risk; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that enhancing Titanium-Oxygen covalency through pseudo-Jahn-Teller Effect distortion in Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites enables low-potential operation. The Li2La2Ti3O10 negative electrode exhibits a working potential of 0.5 V vs. Li+/Li with initial 139.3 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 and 72.9% capacity retention after 5000 cycles. Full cells with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 positive electrodes deliver 3.45 V average discharge voltage-50% higher than conventional Li4Ti5O12 | |LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 systems-achieving 100 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1. Mechanistic analysis reveals low Li⁺ migration barriers and stable Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite frameworks enable rapid ion transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Jun Huang & Qirui Yang & Anyi Hu & Zhu Liao & Zhengxi Zhang & Qinfeng Zheng & Zhouhong Ren & Shun Zheng & Yixiao Zhang & Xiaolong Yang & Zhenming Xu & Le Zhang & Daming Zhu & Wen Wen & Xi Liu & Akihir, 2025. "Enhanced specific energy in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries negative electrodes via Ti-O covalency-mediated low potential," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61461-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61461-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lu Zhang & Xiaohua Zhang & Guiying Tian & Qinghua Zhang & Michael Knapp & Helmut Ehrenberg & Gang Chen & Zexiang Shen & Guochun Yang & Lin Gu & Fei Du, 2020. "Lithium lanthanum titanate perovskite as an anode for lithium ion batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
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