Unique two-level cathode structure improves battery performance
Monday, January 11, 2016 - 09:41
in Physics & Chemistry
Building a better battery is a delicate balancing act. Increasing the amounts of chemicals whose reactions power the battery can lead to instability. Similarly, smaller particles can improve reactivity but expose more material to degradation. Now a team of scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory say they've found a way to strike a balance—by making a battery cathode with a hierarchical structure where the reactive material is abundant yet protected.