Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 09 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41565-026-02189-yRedox electrons in lithium-based battery positive electrodes originate from hybridized orbitals. Combined characterization methods show that across the 3d transition metal series, their origin shifts, with conventional electron counting valid in early transition metal compounds and ligand-hole redox dominating in late transition metal oxides.
