Commencing an Acidic Battery Based on a Copper Anode with Ultrafast Proton-Regulated Kinetics and Superior...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous acidic batteries are an emerging field with potential for high power density and rate stability.
• Direct use of metal anodes is ideal but challenging due to anode stability and reversibility in acidic electrolytes.
• Developing acid-tolerant and electrochemically reversible metal anodes is crucial for advancing acidic battery technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a reversible copper (Cu) metal anode for acidic aqueous battery systems.
• To investigate the electrochemical performance and mechanism of the Cu anode in acidic conditions.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of flexible, fiber-shaped acidic batteries for practical applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized copper (Cu) metal as a reversible anode in an acidic aqueous electrolyte.
• Investigated the deposition-dissolution efficiency and reaction kinetics of the Cu anode.
• Characterized anode morphology after cycling to assess dendrite formation.
• Assembled and tested a battery system using a Prussian blue analog cathode and the Cu anode.
• Evaluated the battery's power density, rate capability, and long-term cyclic stability.

Main Results:

• Achieved nearly 100% deposition-dissolution efficiency for the Cu anode.
• Observed a 400% kinetic acceleration of the Cu anode reaction due to proton regulation.
• Demonstrated dendrite-free Cu anode morphology after cycling, attributed to surface roughening.
• The assembled battery exhibited ultrafast kinetics (1830 W kg^-1 at 75 C) and 85.6% capacity retention after 5000 cycles.
• Successfully fabricated flexible fiber-shaped acidic Cu-based batteries.

Conclusions:

• Copper metal serves as a highly efficient and reversible anode in acidic aqueous battery systems.
• The proton-regulated Cu anode offers superior kinetic performance and morphological stability compared to traditional anodes.
• The developed acidic Cu-based batteries show promise for high-power applications and wearable electronics.