• KAUST scientists show that nylon increases the performance of lithium batteries 

• The breakthrough comes by understanding the chemistry that dissolves nylon in battery electrolytes 

• The finding promises cheaper, safer and more powerful lithium batteries 

KAUST scientists, in collaboration with their counterparts at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), have made a breakthrough that could increase the power and lower the cost of lithium-metal batteries by incorporating nylon into the design.  

Along with their lower carbon dioxide emissions, lithium batteries have a high energy density and are lighter than other batteries. This is why they are used in smartphones small enough to fit into your pocket and in the light, tiny electronics that have allowed us to travel to space. 

There are two types of lithium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the more common type commercially and used in laptops, smartphones and other common electronic devices. The second type is lithium-metal batteries which are more energy dense and have wider applications in robotics, transport and other industries.  The production and operation of current lithium-metal batteries involve corrosive, hazardous materials and lead to too many unwanted reactions that reduce the performance and safety.   

Additives help stabilize battery interfaces, thereby enhancing performance. The studies, published in ACS Energy Letters and Energy Environmental Science, by the researchers found that nylon, the same polymer used in clothes, can be dissolved in mild lithium solution to act as an additive for the lithium metal batteries. The result was lithium-metal batteries that were more efficient, had longer lifespans, and showed fewer unwanted reactions.  

"My research team is dedicated to building renewable energy and storage solutions such as higher energy density and safer batteries to accelerate decarbonization adoption in the Kingdom. This was a discovery that promises cheaper and safer additives and demonstrates the benefits of basic scientific research," said KAUST Professor and Chair of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST) Husam Alshareef, who led the two studies. 

For his part, Dr. Hussam Qasem, General Manager of the Future Energy Technologies Institute at KACST, emphasized the significance of this development, stating: "This research contributes to the development of lightweight batteries while maintaining a high level of safety, supporting the Kingdom’s goals in leading electric vehicle manufacturing and opening new possibilities for their use in aviation applications." 

Building on this advancement, he highlighted the role of the National Laboratory at KACST in accelerating its impact, stating: "KACST, through the Future Energy Technologies Institute and in partnership with CREST, is establishing a pilot line to bridge the gap between fundamental lab research outcomes and industrial-scale production. This project aims to up-scale promising battery technologies, such as the one developed in this research, bringing them closer to real-world applications in electric vehicles and aviation. Additionally, it will enhance industry confidence in these innovations, encouraging investment and accelerating their commercialization." 

KAUST opened CREST in September 2024 in alignment with its new strategic direction to advance research for the benefit of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is investing heavily in sustainable energy technologies, as Saudi Arabia has declared that it will be a net-zero carbon economy by 2060.