Ordered layered structures serve as essential components in lithium (Li)-ion cathodes^1–3. However, on charging, the inherently delicate Li-deficient frameworks become vulnerable to lattice strain and structural and/or chemo-mechanical degradation, resulting in rapid capacity deterioration and thus short battery life^2,4. Here we report an approach that addresses these issues using the integration of chemical short-range disorder (CSRD) into oxide cathodes, which involves the localized distribution of elements in a crystalline lattice over spatial dimensions, spanning a few nearest-neighbour spacings. This is guided by fundamental principles of structural chemistry and achieved through an improved ceramic synthesis process. To demonstrate its viability, we showcase how the introduction of CSRD substantially affects the crystal structure of layered Li cobalt oxide cathodes. This is manifested in the transition metal environment and its interactions with oxygen, effectively preventing detrimental sliding of crystal slabs and structural deterioration during Li removal. Meanwhile, it affects the electronic structure, leading to improved electronic conductivity. These attributes are highly beneficial for Li-ion storage capabilities, markedly improving cycle life and rate capability. Moreover, we find that CSRD can be introduced in additional layered oxide materials through improved chemical co-doping, further illustrating its potential to enhance structural and electrochemical stability. These findings open up new avenues for the design of oxide cathodes, offering insights into the effects of CSRD on the crystal and electronic structure of advanced functional materials.

Layered O3-type oxides are one of the most promising cathode materials for Na-ion batteries owing to their high capacity and straightforward synthesis. However, these materials often experience irreversible structure transitions at elevated cutoff voltages, resulting in compromised cycling stability and rate performance. To address such issues, understanding the interplay of the composition, structure, and properties is crucial. Here, we successfully introduced a P-type characteristic into the O3-type layered structure, achieving a P3-dominated solid-solution phase transition upon cycling. This modification facilitated a reversible transformation of the O3-P3-P3′ structure with minimal and gradual volume changes. Consequently, the Na_0.75Ni_0.25Cu_0.10Fe_0.05Mn_0.15Ti_0.45O₂ cathode exhibited a specific capacity of approximately 113 mAh/g, coupled with exceptional cycling performance (maintaining over 70% capacity retention after 900 cycles). These findings shed light on the composition-structure-property relationships of Na-ion layered oxides, offering valuable insights for the advancement of Na-ion batteries.