An Ultralow Temperature Aqueous Battery with Proton Chemistry

Abstract

Conventional aqueous batteries usually suffer from serious capacity loss under subzero conditions owing to the freeze of electrolytes. To realize the utilization of aqueous batteries in extremely cold climates, low-temperature aqueous battery systems have to be developed. Herein, an aqueous Pbquinone battery based on p-chloranil/reduced graphene oxide (PCHL-rGO) in H 2 SO 4 electrolyte is developed. Such aqueous Pb/PCHL-rGO batteries display H + insertion chemistry, which endows the batteries with fast reaction kinetics and high rate capability. In addition, the hydrogen bonds between water molecules can be significantly damaged in electrolyte by modulating the interaction between SO 4 2À and water molecules, lowering the freezing point of electrolyte. As a result, the Pb/ PCHL-rGO batteries deliver extraordinary electrochemical performance even at À70 8C. This work will broaden the horizons of aqueous batteries and open up new opportunities to construct low-temperature aqueous batteries.

An aqueous zinc‐ion battery working at −50°C enabled by low‐concentration perchlorate‐based chaotropic salt electrolyte

“…Moreover, the ClO stretching (~936 cm −1 ) of ClO 4 − gradually strengthens following the concentration increase, which discloses that it forms strong H‐bonded interactions between ClO 4 − and water, but the rising trend is limited when the concentration is greater than 3 M (Figure S2). This phenomenon was also found in recently reported H 2 SO 4 work 36 . Together with FTIR results, it suggests that the H‐bonds are seriously destructed with increasing the concentration, and the strong H‐bonded interaction is formed between ClO 4 − and water molecules, therefore suppressing the establishment of ice crystals and lowering the freeze points (Figure 1E).…”

Recent research on emerging organic electrode materials for energy storage

“…Zinc-organic battery system is another hot area of organic electrode materials. Tie et al [21] studied a phenazine material [Figure 1D] in the aqueous Zn-organic battery system and got an initial discharge capacity of 405 mAh g -1 at 100 mA g -1 . The capacity retention was 93.3% after 5000 cycles at 5 A g -1 .…”

“…Organic materials that have REDOX activity by binding and releasing protons become a good choice for low temperature battery electrode materials. Based on this principle, Tie et al [21] successfully prepared enhanced zinc-organic batteries with diquinoxalino [2,3-a:2',3'-c] phenazine (HATN) as an electrode material. Tie et al [33] also summarized the design strategy of a high-performance aqueous Zn/organic battery.…”

Ions Transport in Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices at Low Temperatures

“…And the aqueous LIBs using saturated LiCl solution as the electrolyte can work at −40 °C due to the small electrolyte resistance (Figure 3a, b). [50] Besides, some inorganic salts and acids, such as KOH, [66] CsOH, [67] NaClO 4 , [68][69][70] NaNO 3 , [71] Zn(BF 4 ) 2 , [72] H 2 SO 4 , [51,73] H 3 PO 4 , [74] and some organic salts, such as choline chloride [52] and (1-butyl-3-methylimidazole) [75] have also been used to prepare high-concentration electrolytes. It should be pointed out that salt precipitation can occur easily in high-concentration electrolytes at low temperatures, resulting in performance degradation and even failure of the EES devices.…”

“…And the aqueous LIBs using saturated LiCl solution as the electrolyte can work at −40 °C due to the small electrolyte resistance ( Figure a, b). [ 50 ] Besides, some inorganic salts and acids, such as KOH, [ 66 ] CsOH, [ 67 ] NaClO 4 , [ 68–70 ] NaNO 3 , [ 71 ] Zn(BF 4 ) 2 , [ 72 ] H 2 SO 4 , [ 51,73 ] H 3 PO 4 , [ 74 ] and some organic salts, such as choline chloride [ 52 ] and (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazole) [ 75 ] have also been used to prepare high‐concentration electrolytes.…”