Researchers from Fudan University in China have developed a method to refresh and extend the lifespan of lithium batteries, a breakthrough that could improve battery sustainability and reduce electronic waste. The findings, recently published at Nature, are based on a technique that rejuvenates degraded lithium-ion cells, potentially increasing their usability for long periods.
As we know, lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, but their efficiency declines over time due to electrode degradation and chemical side reactions. The research led by Peng Huisheng and Gao Yue from Fudan University, along with other collaborating Chinese research institutions, began by identifying and synthesizing a lithium carrier molecule - lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate (LiSO₂CF₃). The researchers described the white powdered functional salt as a "precise-treatment medicine for lithium-ion batteries."
