Scientists from the Argonne National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, have uncovered a critical hydrogenation mechanism that accelerates the degradation of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs).
Extending the lifespan of such batteries is crucial for the broader adoption of EV technologies, according to a press release published by the National Laboratory.
The research used the Advanced Photon Source (APS), a high-energy X-ray facility, to observe molecular-level changes in the battery components, shedding light on a process called self-discharge.
“Self-discharge is a phenomenon experienced by all rechargeable electrochemical devices,” Argonne senior chemist Zonghai Chen said.
“The process slowly consumes precious functional battery materials and deposits undesired side products on the surface of the battery components. This leads to continuous degradation of battery performance.”
