Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science

Earth-Abundant Energy Storage Technologies

The Materials Research Group at Argonne: Design, discovery, and development of earth-abundant materials for energy storage

Rising U.S. energy demand is fueling the need for advanced batteries to power vehicles, stabilize the grid, and support national security. However, the current portfolio of viable cathode materials for battery technologies is narrow and their reliance on critical materials, like cobalt and nickel, increases cost and susceptibility to supply chain risks. Argonne’s Materials Research Group is addressing these challenges through the advancement of novel, earth-abundant cathode materials that are energy dense, cost-effective, durable, and supply-chain resilient.

Innovations include novel cathode structures, new processing methods, engineered particle architectures, robust surfaces, fundamental insights on the design and synthesis of cathode materials and more.
 

Energy Dense Li- and Mn-rich (LMR) CAMs

Researchers are developing novel synthesis and processing technologies that make Li- and Mn-rich (LMR) cathodes more energy dense, mechanically stronger, and more cost-effective.


Innovations:

  • Novel Ammonia-free synthesis of Mn-rich precursors enabling idealized LMR particle architectures with high density, high mechanical stability, and high-rate performance.
  • Cost-effective complexing agent requiring far lower concentration than conventional methods.
  • Bimodal particle size distribution for high electrode packing density and mechanical strength

Relevant Publications:

Argonne Technologies:

  • ANL-IN-25-039 ​“Engineered Particles for Lithium-Ion Cathodes”
     

Novel High-Energy Mn-Rich Lithium-Excess Spinel (LxS)

Researchers have discovered and are advancing a new class of cathodes that combine high energy-density with structural stability and low strain.


Innovations: 

  • A new class of cobalt-free Lithium‑excess spinels with Li2(Mn,Ni)2O4 compositions.
  • Exceptional capacity (>200–250 mAh/g) and energy density (~900 Wh/kg at material level).
  • Zero‑to‑low strain during cycling, ideal for solid‑state batteries.

Relevant Publications:

Argonne Technologies:

  • ANL-IN-20-049 ​“Cobalt-Free Electrodes for Lithium Cells and Batteries”
     

High Valent Lithiated Surface Structures for Earth-Abundant Cathode Materials

Manganese‑rich layered oxides can develop surface porosity, micro‑cracking, and manganese dissolution that drive impedance growth and capacity fade. Researchers have developed a unique strategy to engineer near‑surface regions that stabilize Mn‑rich cathodes and reduce degradation during cycling.


Innovations:

  • Incorporation of high-valent, lithiated surface phases.
  • Metal and metal-doped structures integrated into near-surface regions that improve lithium-ion transport and stability.
  • Demonstrated high capacity-retention under harsh protocols.

Argonne Technologies:

  • ANL-IN-16-090 ​“High-Valent Lithiated Surface Structures for Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Materials”
     

High-Energy, Manganese‑Rich, Low-Nickel Oxides

Nickel-rich cathodes can deliver high energy, but at a high cost and with potential reliance on cobalt. The Materials Research Group is advancing Mn-rich, layered cathodes that reach NMC‑811‑like energy while cutting cobalt and reducing nickel dependence.


Innovations: 

  • Controlled ratios of Li:Mn:Ni:M tuned to alleviate exchange.
  • Minimal cobalt content (0-5%) with ~35-55% manganese.
  • Demonstrated cost advantages in BatPaC modeling, with energy levels on par with high-nickel cathodes at lower costs than LiFePO4.

Relevant Publications:

Argonne Technologies:

  • ANL-IN-20-063 ​“Low Cobalt Layered Oxide Materials For Lithium Ion Battery Electrodes”
     

Capabilities, Facilities and Partnering with Argonne

The Materials Research Group’s research in high-performance, low-cost earth-abundant batteries leverages a range of onsite user facilities and tools, including the:

With an objective to meet a spectrum of energy storage challenges, Argonne has amassed more than 250 patented advanced cathode, anode, electrolyte, and additive components for lithium-ion, lithium-air, lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, and flow batteries. Earth-abundant cathode technologies are a current priority area, and industry partnership opportunities are available. Please visit Science and Technology Partnerships and Outreach for more information.


About the Materials Research Group

The Materials Research Group is supported in large part by the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). Partnering with scientists and engineers across the national lab complex, academia, and industry, the group has led cathode consortium advancements since 2010. Current programs include the Earth-abundant Cathode Active Materials (EaCAM) and Low-cost Earth-abundant Na-ion Storage (LENS) consortia.