Lithium-ion batteries are used in a variety of electronic devices, from laptops to cell phones. They work by shuttling lithium ions between a positive electrode (anode) and a negative electrode (cathode). When the battery is charging, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode. When the battery is discharging, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode.
The efficiency of a lithium-ion battery depends on how quickly lithium ions can move between the electrodes. This is determined by the size and shape of the pores in the electrode material. If the pores are too small, lithium ions will have difficulty moving through them. If the pores are too large, lithium ions will be able to move too easily and the battery will lose power.
The researchers used a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to image lithium ions as they moved through a molecular maze in a battery electrode material. The STEM allowed the researchers to see the lithium ions at the atomic level.
The researchers found that lithium ions moved through the maze by hopping from one molecule to another. The hopping process was facilitated by the presence of defects in the electrode material. These defects created pathways that allowed lithium ions to move more easily.
The findings could help researchers design new electrode materials that allow lithium ions to move more quickly and easily. This could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting batteries.
