Press release
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Scientists discover method that could lead to longer-lasting batteries
A new way of measuring how materials interact at the atomic level could help scientists develop better-performing, longer-lasting batteries.
Researchers from the University of East London have co-developed a new method for predicting how different chemicals behave, potentially helping identify the materials most likely to improve performance, for example when used in batteries, without relying on costly and time-consuming experiments.
The method focuses on anions - negatively charged particles that play an important role in batteries and many other chemical processes. Different anions interact with other substances in various ways, and how readily they share their electrons with other atoms can affect how they behave in chemical reactions.
Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , the study introduces a new way of measuring how different chemicals interact with materials used in batteries. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which works by shining X-rays onto a material to identify exactly what elements are present and how they are chemically bonded, they measured how tightly specific atoms within anions held on to their electrons. They then used computer modelling to recreate these measurements virtually, enabling them to predict the behaviour of the most promising battery materials without extensive laboratory testing.
The potential applications could also go beyond batteries. The researchers hope their findings could eventually be used to build a database of many different elements, which could fuel machine learning and artificial intelligence, helping scientists make faster, new chemical discoveries.
Dr Richard Matthews, Senior Lecturer of Physical and Computational Chemistry at UEL and co-author of the study, said:
“We now have a much clearer picture of how anions interact with other materials, and that opens up some exciting possibilities. By being able to predict these interactions, we can focus our efforts on the materials that show the most promise for better batteries and beyond.”
Notes to editors
Dr Richard Matthews is available for interview, please contact pressoffice@uel.ac.uk to arrange.
The full paper is available at: doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c06567
About the University of East London: The University of East London (UEL), founded in 1898, is a careers-first university dedicated to empowering students with the skills, experience and networks they need to thrive in a changing world. With over 40,000 students from more than 160 countries, UEL places social mobility, inclusive excellence and real-world impact at the heart of its mission. Based in Stratford and the Royal Albert Dock, UEL is shaping a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future through transformative education, research and innovation. In 2026, UEL is celebrating another Year of Health, which includes launching a new Health Campus that will address health inequalities and foster innovation in the sector. For more information, visit www.uel.ac.uk .
Journal of the American Chemical Society