Iron reaches record energy state, could power cheaper batteries

A Stanford-led research team has achieved a breakthrough by pushing iron into an unprecedented high-energy state, enabling it to release and reabsorb up to five electrons—significantly more than the usual two or three. This was accomplished by engineering a nanoscale lithium–iron–antimony–oxygen compound with particles just 300 to 400 nanometers in diameter, which maintained structural stability during repeated charging cycles. The discovery was confirmed through advanced X-ray spectral modeling, revealing that both iron and oxygen atoms cooperatively contribute to this enhanced electron exchange. This advancement could revolutionize lithium-ion battery technology by providing a high-voltage, iron-based cathode that is more powerful and substantially cheaper than current cobalt- or nickel-based alternatives. Iron, previously considered unsuitable for high-voltage applications, now emerges as a sustainable and cost-effective material, potentially reducing reliance on expensive and environmentally problematic metals like cobalt. The research, building on theoretical work from 2018, was published in Nature Materials and may also impact other