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Carbon Nanotubes for Rechargeable Na/Cl2 Batteries
Peng Liang1,2,3,4, Guanzhou Zhu4, Weize Wang1
1Department of Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed novel rechargeable sodium-chlorine (Na/Cl2) batteries using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as positive electrodes. These MWCNT electrodes enable high capacity and stable cycling for advanced energy storage applications.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Rechargeable batteries are crucial for energy storage.
- Developing high-capacity and stable electrode materials is essential.
- Chlorine-based redox chemistry offers potential for high energy density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel rechargeable Na/Cl2 batteries.
- To investigate the role of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as positive electrodes.
- To understand the electrochemical mechanisms of chlorine redox reactions in MWCNTs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of rechargeable Na/Cl2 batteries with MWCNT positive electrodes in SOCl2-based electrolytes.
- Electrochemical testing including cycling stability and rate capability at room temperature.
- In situ Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy for reaction mechanism analysis.
- Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) for material characterization.
Main Results:
- Batteries achieved high cycling specific capacities up to 3500 mA h g-1 (normalized to CNT mass) at ~3.9 V discharge voltage.
- Stable cycling performance was observed over >140 cycles at up to 2 C rates.
- Reversible formation and reduction of SCl2 and S2Cl2 species were identified, contributing to the voltage profile.
- NaCl nanocrystals were observed within CNTs, indicating effective chlorine storage and redox reactions.
Conclusions:
- MWCNTs serve as an effective positive electrode material for rechargeable Na/Cl2 batteries.
- The hollow structure and defects of MWCNTs facilitate chlorine storage and reversible redox reactions.
- This work demonstrates the potential of MWCNTs for hosting Cl-/Cl2 redox chemistry for battery applications.
