The rapid advancement of modern technologies has increasingly heightened the demand for rechargeable batteries that exhibit higher energy density, faster charging capabilities, and longer cycle life. However, current battery materials are unable to meet these requirements due to their inherent structural limitations. Therefore, it is essential to design a multifunctional battery material structure, including ample Li+ storage, rapid Li+ diffusion, and enhanced structural stability. Here we show a layered structure featuring interplanar bridges and intraplanar percolation that integrates the advantages of currently commercialized mainstream battery material structures. It enables efficient ion transport and structural stability, delivering high capacity/rate capability, long cycle life, and nearly zero-strain structural evolution over a wide temperature range. The versatility of such structural design principle is further confirmed by other materials, and this general principle of discovering and designing advanced battery materials should accelerate the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries.
Ma et al. (2026) studied this question.