Australian researchers announce breakthrough in fast-charging lithium-ion battery technology

Adelaide, Australia — A team of researchers at the University of Adelaide has developed a lithium-ion pouch battery cell that can charge to more than 85% capacity in six minutes, while maintaining an energy density of around 240 Wh/kg, according to a university statement released on Thursday, 21 May.

Fast charging is key to broad EV adoption, but high-capacity batteries typically degrade quickly and generate excess heat, creating safety risks, said Professor Qiao Shizhang, who leads the research.

The breakthrough, published in Nature Energy, uses interfacial anion-reduction catalysis to regulate reactions at the interface, enabling rapid charging without sacrificing ionic conductivity, Qiao explained. This approach also forms a stabilising protective layer that is crucial for long-term performance and stability.

The discovery offers a new approach to practical fast-charging lithium-ion batteries and could potentially enable EV charging in minutes without compromising life or energy density, Qiao said. ‘Our test cells show very good performance, retaining about 76% of capacity after 500 six-minute charging cycles,’ he added. He noted the cells also demonstrated very good stability during 10-minute charging.