An Emerging Chemistry Revives Proton Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• The quest for advanced energy storage solutions drives the development of novel battery chemistries.
• Integrating supercapacitor rate capabilities with battery energy density remains a significant challenge.
• Proton-ion chemistry emerges as a promising avenue due to fast ion transport kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of proton batteries, a rapidly developing field in electrochemical energy storage.
• To outline the historical evolution and fundamental principles of proton battery technology.
• To offer insights and guidance for future research and development in proton battery design.

Main Methods:

• Historical development tracing of proton batteries.
• Review of fundamental proton-ion transport characteristics.
• Categorization and analysis of Faradaic electrodes for proton storage.
• Summary of reported electrolytes and proton battery designs.

Main Results:

• Proton batteries leverage proton-ion charge carriers for enhanced kinetics.
• Recent discoveries in materials for proton redox reactions are fueling a resurgence in proton battery research.
• Key aspects including electrode materials, electrolytes, and device architectures are systematically reviewed.

Conclusions:

• Proton batteries represent a significant advancement in electrochemical energy storage, bridging the gap between batteries and supercapacitors.
• Understanding proton-ion behavior and material properties is crucial for optimizing performance.
• This review provides a foundational resource for the rational design and future development of high-performance proton batteries.