Lithium batteries exist in almost every modern electronic device. Even though they are the most widely used type of battery, scientists are still uncovering how they work at the atomic level. 

What exactly was discovered?

James Kaduk, a research professor of chemistry at Illinois Tech, studied a new solid state electrolyte known as lithium tantalum oxychloride. His goal was to figure out where lithium ions are located inside the material. This may sound like no big deal, but the position of lithium ions plays a major role in how efficiently lithium batteries function.

A lithium battery can be compared to a parking lot. When there are only a few cars in a parking lot, it is easy to find an open space. In the same fashion, as a battery fills with lithium ions, it becomes harder for new ions to move into position, which can affect battery efficiency greatly. This helps explain why batteries take much longer to charge once they reach 80 percent.

Why is lithium so hard to find?

One of the biggest challenges in this research is that lithium atoms are extremely light. Because of this, common tools like x-rays struggle to detect lithium directly.

To solve this problem, Kaduk mapped the positions of heavier atoms in the structure and identified the empty spaces where lithium ions are most likely to reside. By approaching the problem indirectly, researchers were able to better understand how lithium ions are arranged inside the solid material.

Why does this matter for batteries?

The spacing between the lithium ions is important because it determines how easily they can move. This material allows the lithium ions to “hop” more efficiently through the solid electrolyte. The faster they can “hop,” the better the battery performs and charges, especially in colder environments where many batteries struggle.

What could this lead to?

If scientists can pinpoint exactly where lithium ions reside, they can design better solid state electrolytes. Solid state batteries are much safer than traditional batteries because they do not use flammable liquid electrolytes. This research could contribute to batteries that are much safer and last longer.