High-Energy Density Li-Ion Battery Cathode Using Only Industrial Elements
Li-ion batteries are crucial for the global energy transition to renewables; however, their scalability is limited by the supply of key elements used in commercial cathodes (e.g., Ni, Mn, Co, P). Therefore, there is an urgent need for next-generation cathodes composed of widely available and industrially scalable elements. Here, we introduce a Li-rich cathode based on the known material Li<sub>2</sub>FeS<sub>2</sub>, composed of low-cost elements (Al, Fe, S) that are globally mined and refined at an industrial scale. The substitution of redox-inactive Al<sup>3+</sup> for Fe<sup>2+</sup> achieves remarkably high degrees of anion redox, which, in turn, yields high gravimetric capacity (≈450 mAh·g<sup>-1</sup>) and energy density (≳1000 Wh·kg<sup>-1</sup>). We show that Al<sup>3+</sup> enables high degrees of delithiation by stabilizing the delithiated state, suppressing phase transformations that would otherwise prevent deep delithiation and extensive anion redox. This mechanistic insight offers new possibilities for developing scalable, next-generation Li-ion battery cathodes to meet pressing societal needs.
Authors
- Nicholas Dulock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6616-4039)
- Leah S. Soldner
- Eshaan S. Patheria (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2761-8498)
- Johanna Nelson Weker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6856-3203)
- Kimberly A. See (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0133-9693)
- Seong Shik Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2604-6392)
- Colin T. Morrell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8010-2474)
- Michelle D. Qian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4815-1014)
- James R. Neilson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9282-5752)
- Brent T. Fultz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6364-8782)
- Kyle Hunady
- P. Guzman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9726-8315)
- Elena R. Priesen Reis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5385-9466)
Institutions
- California Institute of Technology (US)
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (US)
- Division of Chemistry (US)
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (US)
- Colorado State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Published
- 2025-03-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c18440
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.19
Funders
- David and Lucile Packard Foundation
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
- Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
- Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation
- Division of Materials Research
- Division of Graduate Education
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
- Energy Frontier Research Centers