| May 21, 2026 |
Researchers have discovered a promising new strategy that could deliver fast battery charging. The team created pouch battery cells using interfacial anion-reduction catalysis to record a charge of more than 85% after six minutes.
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(Nanowerk News) Researchers at Adelaide University have discovered a promising new strategy which could deliver fast battery charging.
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The team, led by Professor Shi-Zhang Qiao, an ARC Industry Laureate Fellow in the University’s School of Chemical Engineering, created pouch battery cells using interfacial anion-reduction catalysis to record a charge of more than 85 per cent after six minutes.
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The cells also provided about 240.4 Watt-hours per kilogram after fewer than six minutes of charging.
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The findings have been published in the journal Nature Energy (“Anion-reduction catalytic centres regulate interfacial solvation structures for fast-charging Si anodes”).
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Fast charging capabilities are essential for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles. Professor Qiao said current models of high-capacity batteries, like those of silicon and lithium, are fast, but their capacities fade rapidly.
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“Current models also increase heat generation during fast charging, which can exacerbate battery degradation and safety risks,” Professor Qiao said.
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“Until now, achieving more than 90 per cent charge within 10 minutes without sacrificing energy density and cycle life has been a formidable challenge.”
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Professor Qiao and his team, which included researchers from Imperial College London, researched the capabilities of a cell using interfacial anion-reduction catalysis.
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“The catalytic sites on the electrode surface attract anions to the battery interface and promote the formation of a robust inorganic protective layer, which is critical for fast charging and long-term stability,” he said.
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“Unlike traditional electrolyte engineering, which often affects the entire electrolyte system, this strategy regulates reactions only at the interface, allowing fast charging without sacrificing ionic conductivity.”
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Professor Qiao said the discovery provides a new strategy for developing practical fast-charging lithium-ion batteries.
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“Our test cell exhibited excellent performance, achieving about 76 per cent capacity retention after 500, six-minute cycles,” Professor Qiao said.
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“The cells also exhibited excellent stability at 10 minutes of charging.
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“The discovery could help enable electric vehicles that charge in minutes without sacrificing battery life or energy density.”
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The team will now focus on scaling up the technology and testing its long-term performance under practical operating conditions.
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