Skoltech and the Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences have presented a review that may change the future of battery technology. The researchers showed that if lithium, sodium, or potassium is “confined” between layers of graphene or other carbon materials, it becomes possible to create anodes that outperform today’s graphite ones several times over in capacity, charging speed, and safety. The work was published in ChemSystemsChem.

Why Conventional Anodes Are No Longer Enough

Graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries can hold only a single layer of lithium between graphene sheets. This limits capacity and forces slow charging. Additionally, during fast charging, lithium begins to deposit on the surface in the form of dendrites — needle-like structures that lead to short circuits and fires.

In 2018, a high-resolution electron microscope showed for the first time that lithium can form several dense layers inside graphene. This discovery launched a new research direction: multilayer insertion of alkali metals.

Four Layers of Lithium — Three Times the Capacity

Calculations show that graphene loaded with four layers of lithium provides a capacity of 1100–1200 mAh/g — roughly three times that of the best graphite anodes (372 mAh/g). Similar structures also work with sodium and potassium, opening the way to cheaper and more environmentally friendly sodium-ion batteries.

Experiments have already confirmed that prototype sodium-ion batteries retain 83% of their capacity after 3000 cycles of ultrafast charging. This means a smartphone or electric vehicle could charge in 5–10 minutes without sacrificing lifespan.

Safety as the Key Advantage

Multilayer structures force the metal to deposit inside the carbon volume rather than on its surface. As a result, dendrites do not have time to grow, and the risk of short circuits and fires drops sharply.

Co-author Ilya Chepkasov noted indirectly that the team had systematized evidence showing that nature allows ions to be packed into carbon much more densely than previously believed.

From Lab to Factory: What Still Needs to Be Done

Scientists have already developed methods for modifying graphite (such as molecular tunneling with ammonia) and synthesizing hard carbon from biomass. The remaining tasks include scaling up the process, monitoring reactions inside a working battery, and reducing production costs.

Professor Alexander Kvashnin explained indirectly that the next stage would be an engineering and technological one: the team must learn to produce these materials not only in the lab but also on an industrial scale.

In Brief

Russian researchers have shown that multilayer insertion of lithium, sodium, and potassium into carbon matrices enables anodes three times more capacious than graphite ones, supports charging within minutes, and almost completely eliminates dendrites. This may lead to cheap, safe, and fast-charging batteries for smartphones, electric vehicles, and energy systems. The path from laboratory to mass production is already defined — only scaling remains.