Tongchao Liu
Chemist
Biography
Tongchao Liu is currently a chemist in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory. He received his Ph.D. degree from Peking University. His research is centered on cathode materials and multiscale advanced characterization. His specific areas of interest include Ni-rich and Co-free cathodes, Li-rich cathodes, concentration gradient cathode design, and understanding failure chemistries using in-situ synchrotron-based X-ray techniques. He serves as an editor in the high-impact journals of Nano Energy and Materials Today Energy. He was named to the 2023 “35 Innovators Under 35” Global List by MIT Technology Review.
Selected Publications (Total publication: 160+; Google scholar citations: >15000)
1. Liu, T. et al Origin of structural degradation in Li-rich layered oxide cathode, Nature 606, 305-312 (2022)
2. Huang, W., Liu, T.*, Zhou, T.* Amine, K.* Unrecoverable lattice rotation governs structural degradation of single-crystalline cathodes, Science 384, 912-919 (2024)
3. Liu, T.* et al Ultrastable cathodes enabled by compositional and structural dual-gradient design, Nature Energy 9, 1252-1263 (2024)
4. Wang, L.#, Liu, T.# et al Strain-retardant coherent perovskite phase stabilized Ni-rich cathode, Nature 611, 61-67 (2022)
5. Liu, T. et alUnderstanding Co roles towards developing Co-free Ni-rich cathodes for rechargeable batteries. Nature Energy 6, 277-286 (2021).
6. Liu, T. et al In situ quantification of interphasial chemistry in Li-ion battery. Nature Nanotechnology. 1, 50-56 (2019).
7. Huang, W., Amine, K.* Liu, T.* Low-nickel cathode chemistry for sustainable and high-energy lithium-ion batteries, Nature Sustainability, 1-11 (2025).
8. Liu, T. et al Rational design of mechanically robust Ni-rich cathode materials via concentration gradient strategy. Nature Communications 12, 1-10 (2021).
9. Liu, T. et alCorrelation between manganese dissolution and dynamic phase stability in spinel-based lithium-ion battery. Nature Communications 10, 1-11 (2019)
10. Huang, W., … Liu, T.* A Quasi-Ordered Mn-Rich Cathode with Highly Reversible Oxygen Anion Redox Chemistry. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025).