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A team of scientists from Korea and Japan has discovered a new type of crystal that can repeatedly absorb and release oxygen under relatively mild conditions. This unusual “breathing” ability could pave the way for advances in clean energy systems, electronics, and smart building technologies.
The material is a novel metal oxide composed of strontium, iron, and cobalt. Unlike most oxygen-controlling materials, which are fragile or only function at extremely high temperatures, this crystal remains stable and operates at lower temperatures.
“It is like giving the crystal lungs and it can inhale and exhale oxygen on command,” says Professor Hyoungjeen Jeen of the Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Korea, who led the research. The findings were published in Nature Communications on August 15, 2025.
Why Oxygen Control Matters
The ability to regulate oxygen within materials is vital for next-generation energy and electronic technologies. For example:
- Solid oxide fuel cells use oxygen to efficiently generate electricity from hydrogen with minimal emissions.
- Thermal transistors control the flow of heat in the same way electrical transistors control current.
- Smart windows can adjust heat flow depending on weather conditions, improving energy efficiency in buildings.
“This is a major step towards the realization of smart materials that can adjust themselves in real time,” says co-author Professor Hiromichi Ohta from the Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.
A Stable and Reversible Process
What makes the discovery remarkable is its stability and reversibility. When heated in a simple gas environment, the crystal releases oxygen by reducing cobalt ions, creating a new but stable crystal structure. When oxygen is reintroduced, the material returns to its original state—without degradation.
“This finding is striking in two ways: only cobalt ions are reduced, and the process leads to the formation of an entirely new but stable crystal structure,” explains Prof. Jeen.
The ability to repeat this cycle many times makes the material highly promising for real-world applications.
Wide-Ranging Applications
The research suggests potential applications across multiple fields:
- Clean energy generation through more efficient fuel cells
- Next-generation electronics such as thermal transistors
- Eco-friendly building technologies like adaptive smart windows
“The potential applications range from clean energy to electronics and even eco-friendly building materials,” notes Prof. Ohta.
Funding and Collaboration
This international collaboration was supported by:
- National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- Korea Basic Science Institute
- Ministry of Science and ICT (Korea)
- Crossover Alliance to Create the Future with People, Intelligence and Materials
- Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices
Key Takeaways
- New oxygen-breathing crystal made of strontium, iron, and cobalt discovered.
- Absorbs and releases oxygen at relatively low temperatures.
- Stable and reversible process enables repeated use without degradation.
- Breakthrough potential for fuel cells, thermal devices, and smart building materials.
- Published in Nature Communications (Aug 15, 2025) by scientists from Korea and Japan.
Original Publication
Authors: Joonhyuk Lee, Yu-Seong Seo, Krishna Chaitanya Pitike, Gowoon Kim, Sangkyun Ryu, Hyeyun Chung, Su Ryang Park, Sangmoon Yoon, Younghak Kim, Valentino R. Cooper, Hiromichi Ohta, Jinhyung Cho and Hyoungjeen Jeen.
Journal: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62612-1
Article Title: Selective reduction in epitaxial SrFe0.5Co0.5O2.5 and its reversibility.
Article Publication Date: 15-Aug-2025
Original Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62612-1
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the structure of brownmillerite SFCO thin films when they are heated in a hydrogen-rich environment?
When brownmillerite SFCO thin films are heated in a hydrogen-rich environment, they undergo a structural transformation. At temperatures up to 300°C, the structure remains stable, but at higher temperatures (400°C and above), the films lose their original ordering and form a new oxygen-deficient phase.
How does the presence of iron affect the stability of the reduced phase in SFCO films?
The presence of iron in SFCO films helps to stabilize the reduced phase during the reduction process. While cobalt ions are reduced and lead to structural changes, iron remains chemically stable and prevents the collapse of the structure, allowing for the formation of a stable oxygen-deficient phase.
What are the implications of selective cobalt reduction on the optical properties of SFCO films?
Selective cobalt reduction in SFCO films leads to a widening of the optical bandgap and enhanced transparency. This means that the reduced films can be more transparent and have tunable optical properties, making them suitable for applications in optoelectronics and electrochromic devices.
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