In an era where charging speed directly dictates user experience, the battery field has witnessed a landmark advancement. Recently published research demonstrates an innovatively designed battery cathode material that successfully overcomes a long-standing industry challenge—achieving stable, ultra-fast 5C charging under very high voltage. This marks a critical step forward for fast-charging battery technology on its path to practical application.
In battery terminology, the "C-rate" measures the charge/discharge current relative to the battery's capacity:
1C = Fully charged in 1 hour
3C = Fully charged in 20 minutes
5C = Fully charged in approx. 12 minutes
The "5C fast charging" capability achieved in this research signals a potential reshaping of the charging experience across multiple sectors, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. However, achieving such extreme charging speeds previously faced fundamental challenges: under extremely high current and voltage, the structure of battery materials rapidly degrades, leading to sharp performance decline and safety risks.
The core of this breakthrough lies in the research team's development of a computationally guided "site-exchange" strategy. It innovatively reinforces both the "internal structure" and the "external surface" of the battery material simultaneously, thereby synergistically addressing the stability challenge of high-voltage LCO materials under fast charging.
Sodium ions are strategically doped into the lithium cobalt oxide lattice, achieving dual enhancement:
Widened ion channels: Allow lithium ions to shuttle more rapidly, directly increasing charging speed.
Strengthened crystal framework: Enhances the material's structural robustness when operating at high voltages (>4.5V), preventing collapse from repeated expansion and contraction.
A robust amorphous LiₓMgᵧBO₂ (LMBO) coating is formed in situ on the cathode surface via magnesium-sodium ion exchange. This nanoscale layer (2-5 nm thick) acts as a multifunctional barrier:
Isolates chemical corrosion: Effectively prevents electrolyte erosion of the active material.
Reduces cobalt dissolution: Significantly suppresses harmful side reactions, preventing the dissolution and loss of beneficial components.
Maintains interface stability: Effectively inhibits interface degradation and harmful side reactions by stabilizing lattice oxygen.
Figure 1. Core Mechanism of 5C Fast Charging: Calculation-Guided Mg-Na Ion Exchange and Dual-Stabilization Strategy ( Source: Adapted from Wang, T., et al. [1] )
The modified N-LCO@LMBO material demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance under extreme conditions:
Figure 2. Performance Test Data: Cycle life and voltage curves of N-LCO@LMBO under 5C fast charging at 4.7V high voltage. (Source: Adapted from Wang, T., et al. [1])
| Test Condition | Performance Metric | Result | Industry Benchmark |
5C Fast Charge @ 4.7V Ultra-High Voltage | Capacity Retention after 500 Cycles | 82.1% | Traditional LCO usually <50% |
| 3C Fast Charge @ 4.6V High Voltage | Capacity after 1000 Cycles | 163.7 mAh g⁻¹ | Rapid decay within 200 cycles |
| Full Cell (Graphite Anode) @ 3C | Capacity Retention after 500 Cycles | 92.8% | Commercial batteries usually 70-80% |
In-depth analysis reveals the fundamental reasons for its success. Advanced characterization and computational modeling uncovered the underlying mechanisms:
Thermodynamic feasibility: Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the magnesium-sodium exchange process is thermodynamically favorable, driving the spontaneous formation of the protective coating.
Synergistic stabilization effect: Sodium-doped bulk structure enhances intrinsic stability, while the LMBO coating provides external protection, creating a "reinforced concrete"-like structure for the cathode particles.
Interface engineering: The coating effectively suppresses harmful oxygen redox activity at high voltages (>4.5V), stabilizing lattice oxygen.
This technological breakthrough in 5C fast charging has moved beyond the lab proof-of-concept stage, demonstrating clear commercialization potential:
Successful pouch Full-Cell tests: Pouch full cells assembled using N-LCO@LMBO cathodes and commercial graphite anodes show initial capacities exceeding 400mAh.
Scalable material process: The methods employed are compatible with commercial-grade raw materials, paving the way for large-scale production.
Potential safety enhancement: By suppressing side reactions, thermal risks associated with high-rate fast charging are reduced at the material level.
Its impact on the industry could be broad:
Consumer electronics: Future devices like smartphones and laptops could achieve full charges within the ten-minute range, with longer-lasting batteries.
Electric vehicles (EVs): Although this study is based on LCO material, the core design strategy of"synergistic bulk doping and surface coating stabilization"is universal. It provides a clear and validated technical paradigm for developing the fast-charging performance of mainstream EV cathode materials like NMC and LFP, offering significant guidance for solving the widespread fast-charging challenge in EVs.
Technology diffusion: The "synergistic stabilization" design philosophy provides a clear R&D paradigm for developing other, higher-performance battery material systems.
Figure 3. Commercial Validation: From Material Preparation and Pouch Cell Assembly to Multi-Field Applications (Source: Adapted from Wang, T., et al. [1])
The current research results illuminate a clear path forward for fast-charging battery technology. Future development will focus on:
Further optimizing materials and processes to continuously improve performance and reduce cost.
Accelerating collaboration with downstream battery manufacturers to complete engineering validation for scaled-up production.
Conducting more rigorous, long-term reliability assessments closer to real-world usage scenarios.
This breakthrough demonstrates that precise materials science and engineering design can effectively tackle core challenges in battery technology. As R&D deepens, the experience of safe and reliable ultra-fast charging is accelerating its transformation from a future blueprint into a tangible reality.
R&D Notes: how to verify 5C fast charging materials?
If you aim to precisely reproduce 5C fast charging test data found in top-tier journals, you need a testing system with millisecond-level response.
Research preferred for High-Rate: Learn about NEWARE CT-9000 High-Performance Battery Testing System (Supports 100Hz sampling, ≤1ms response)
Cycle life verification: View the classic CT-4000 Series
Safety & temperature testing: High and Low-Temperature Environmental Chamber Solutions
[1] Wang, T., Meng, Y., Zhang, Y., et al. "Ion Exchange-Induced LixMgyBOz Coating Synergized with Reinforced Bulk Doping Enables Fast-Charging Long-Cycling High-Voltage LiCoO₂." Energy & Environmental Science(2025). DOI: 10.1039/d5ee04240b
Technology
December 19, 2025
The lab focuses on solid-state battery research to overcome traditional lithium batteries' safety and energy density issues, supporting environmental sustainability. It develops innovative solid-state electrolytes, refines electrode materials, and investigates ion transfer and interface stability to revolutionize battery technology.
The electric vehicle battery industry is rapidly developing, focusing on technological innovation, market competition, and sustainability. Research hotspots include solid-state batteries, new types of electrolytes, BMS optimization, and recycling technologies. The environmental adaptability, safety, and economic viability of batteries are key research areas, and the industry is expected to undergo more innovation and transformation.
We specialize in battery preparation technology research, focusing on overcoming existing energy storage challenges by innovating in electrode materials, battery chemistry, and manufacturing processes to improve performance, enhance safety, and reduce costs. Sustainability and recycling technologies for batteries are also emphasized to mitigate environmental impacts and foster the growth of green energy.
