Researchers Find Manganese Can Cause Battery Flaw That May Shorten EV Lifespans
Study finds air exposure of precursor materials creates reactive defects in manganese-coated batteries, potentially doubling capacity fade rates.
Researchers at Hanyang University in South Korea have identified a manufacturing flaw linked to manganese chemistry that could accelerate degradation in next-generation EV batteries.
What Happened
The study, published in Energy and Environmental Science (Volume 19, Issue 12), found that exposing battery precursor materials to air causes oxidation of manganese on particle surfaces. This creates defective regions enriched with 'Jahn-Teller distorted' manganese species that become highly reactive, leading to electrolyte decomposition, transition-metal dissolution, and damaging reactions with the graphite anode. According to researchers led by Professor Jin Ho Bang and PhD Scholar JinHa Shim, these hidden defects can nearly double the rate of capacity fading in nickel-rich battery systems during extended cycling tests. The team found that increasing excess lithium during synthesis can suppress formation of defective surface phases and restore stable manganese-oxygen bonding, allowing modified cathodes to retain more than 90% of their capacity.
Why It Matters
For EV owners and buyers, this research highlights a potential durability concern with cobalt-free, high-nickel batteries designed to extend driving range while reducing critical mineral dependence. The findings suggest that even small variations in precursor storage during manufacturing can substantially affect long-term battery stability. However, the researchers note that addressing this issue does not require expensive coatings or major production redesigns—careful control of precursor handling and lithium stoichiometry could provide a relatively straightforward path to more durable batteries.
The Bottom Line
The Hanyang University team concluded their results make precursor management an important consideration for large-scale manufacturing. If validated further, these findings could inform battery production practices for both EVs and large-scale energy storage systems requiring stable, high-energy batteries for renewable energy applications.
