February 19, 2025

Afsana Chowdhury 

11th Grade

The Young Women's Leadership School of Queens 

Introduction

The release of a new iPhone is an annual tradition, with many eager to purchase the latest due to its new features. However, have you ever wondered what component in iPhones allows them to be so eye-catching in the market? A key factor behind these advancements is metal oxides. From long-lasting colors to improved battery efficiency, metal oxide significantly improves the user experience. We are allowed to enjoy the many aspects of iPhones that tend to be taken for granted, such as storage capacity and charge transfer functions. 

Benefits

Nano-sized metal oxides enhance battery performance. The composite nanostructure design of the battery shapes the electrochemical performance. The most active material in lithium-ion batteries is graphite, which provides sufficient energy. Lithium is a suitable metal for a battery as it tends to lose electrons quickly.

Metal oxides are also essential to enhancing the storage capacities of batteries. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries are the go-to batteries for most cellular devices. However, it is essential to use certain unique combinations when choosing metal oxides for specific batteries in order to utilize the storage capacity. It has been observed that graphene metal oxide nanocomposites, in particular, significantly enhance lithium storage capacity. 

Metal oxides also play a role in the charge transfer efficiency of an iPhone. Charge transfer efficiency is defined as the total time or speed taken for an electron to move at a certain distance. A critical thing to observe when analyzing charge transfer is the current, as it impacts the charge transfer efficiency. The use of nanoconfinement offers a more significant number of charge carriers near the electrode. It was concluded from a study that metal oxides that react with Lithium-ions in an untraditional way allow for a greater cycle life than in the conventional setup. 

Concern

A huge concern about metal oxides is their environmental impact, especially on lithium-ion batteries. At this point in time, lithium batteries are particularly perilous because of the need for toxic chemicals to process them. Metal oxides pose a threat to marine life due to their ability to seep into bodies of water. However, there are eco-friendly alternatives to metal oxides in order to minimize their environmental impact. Such metal oxides include iron, and its mineral forms include Goethite, Ulvospinel, Hematite, and many more. 

Conclusion

Metal oxides serve as an essential aspect of iPhones. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to categorize them as the component that truly revolutionized iPhones. They improve battery performance, enhance the storage capacities of batteries, and influence charge transfer. There are various metal oxides that can be used depending on the function's priority. For instance, iron oxides can be utilized if environmental impact is a concern. Also, metal oxide coatings allow more efficient durability, which helps maintain the signature look an iPhone requires. These materials are integral to the evolution of modern phones! 

Future

Metal oxides continue to hold a promising future when it comes to their role in iPhones. Many iPhone users have complained about the color fading on their iPhones for a while. As a result, Apple has publicly come up with the idea of injecting foreign atoms into the coating of metal oxide. This aims to enhance color longevity when faced with UV exposure and physical damage. If this method is implemented on the metal oxide layer, users can expect longer-lasting iPhone colors.