Chinese researchers develop safer, more durable organic batteries

TIANJIN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese scientists have developed a new type of organic lithium-ion battery that is safer and more flexible, and addresses longstanding performance bottlenecks.

The technology was jointly developed by scientists from Tianjin University and South China University of Technology. The study was published online in the international journal Nature on Thursday, Beijing time.

The team, led by Xu Yunhua, a professor at Tianjin University, engineered an organic cathode material that significantly enhances the energy density and electricity charging speed of lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough tackles the key obstacles that have limited the practical application of organic batteries.

Most mainstream lithium-ion batteries today rely on inorganic cathode materials such as cobalt and nickel. However, these materials face growing concerns over resource scarcity, limited mechanical flexibility and performance decline under extreme conditions.

In response, researchers have increasingly turned to organic electrode materials, which are abundant, environmentally friendly and structurally adaptable. The key challenge lies in achieving high energy density while ensuring fast electricity charging.

To tackle this challenge, the team developed an organic cathode material with high electronic conductivity, fast lithium-ion transport and high energy storage capacity.

Using the new cathode, the team developed a pouch battery that achieves an energy density exceeding 250 watt-hours per kilogram, outperforming conventional lithium iron phosphate batteries. The new battery also demonstrated outstanding thermal stability, operating stably in temperatures ranging from minus 70 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius.

In addition, the battery showed strong mechanical resilience and enhanced safety performance. In tests, the organic cathode maintained structural integrity and full capacity even after being bent or compressed.

The pouch battery also passed a puncture safety test, a standard test used to assess the risk of thermal runaway or fire in lithium batteries.

“The research breaks through the constraints of traditional battery technology in terms of resource dependence and environmental impact. It not only matches the energy density of commercial batteries but also offers superior safety and a much wider operational temperature range,” Xu said.

Xu added that the findings open up potential applications in flexible electronics, wearable devices and energy storage systems that require lightweight, adaptable and safe power sources.

The research team is working on scaling up the technology for industrial production, with plans to establish a pilot manufacturing line for organic batteries.