Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries don’t last forever. Over time, they hold onto less charge, eventually transforming from power sources to bricks. One reason: hidden, leaky hydrogen, new research suggests.
Unwanted hydrogen protons fill molecular slots in the positive end of the battery leaving less room for charged lithium atoms, or ions, which maintain reactivity and help conduct charge, scientists report September 12 in Science.
The new research identifies a set of undesirable chemical reactions that unfold when the battery’s electrolyte, which is supposed to transport lithium ions, inadvertently releases hydrogen into the positive end, or cathode. This “triggers all kinds of problems” and reduces the capacity and lifespan
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