Photo‐Rechargeable Li‐Ion Batteries using TiS₂ Cathode

Abstract

Photo‐rechargeable (solar) battery can be considered as an energy harvesting cum storage system, where it can charge the conventional metal‐ion battery using light instead of electricity, without having other parasitic reactions. Here a two‐electrode lithium‐ion solar battery with multifaceted TiS2–TiO2 hybrid sheets as cathode. The choice of TiS2–TiO2 electrode ensures the formation of a type II semiconductor heterostructure while the lateral heterostructure geometry ensures high mass/charge transfer and light interactions with the electrode. TiS2 has a higher lithium binding energy (1.6 eV) than TiO2 (1.03 eV), ensuring the possibilities of higher amount of Li‐ion insertion to TiS2 and hence the maximum recovery with the photocharging, as further confirmed by the experiments. Apart from the demonstration of solar solid‐state batteries, the charging of lithium‐ion full cell with light indicates the formation of lithium intercalated graphite compounds, ensuring the charging of the battery without any other parasitic reactions at the electrolyte or electrode‐electrolyte interfaces. Possible mechanisms proposed here for the charging and discharging processes of solar batteries, based on the experimental and theoretical results, indicate the potential of such systems in the forthcoming era of renewable energies.

Advanced Insights on MXenes: Categories, Properties, Synthesis, and Applications in Alkali Metal Ion Batteries

“…Specifically, TiS 2 possesses a higher Li ion binding energy compared with TiO 2 along with higher valence band edge and conduction band edge when generating a staggered band structure with TiO 2 that will allow the hole accumulation in the TiS 2 structure during visible light illumination. As a result, similar discharging and charging capacities (≈250 mAh g –1 ) were achieved during LIB cycling under “light” conditions . Based on the above, it is a promising future research direction on MXenes and MXene-based materials for photoenhanced alkali ion batteries.…”

“…As a result, similar discharging and charging capacities (≈250 mAh g −1 ) were achieved during LIB cycling under "light" conditions. 101 Based on the above, it is a promising future research direction on MXenes and MXene-based materials for photoenhanced alkali ion batteries.…”

Recent progress in device designs and dual‐functional photoactive materials for direct solar to electrochemical energy storage

“…To date, only a few TiO 2 ‐based heterostructures have been designed as dual‐functional photocathodes. Narayanan et al [ 168 ] constructed type II TiS 2 /TiO 2 heterostructure nanosheets as the photocathodes for photorechargeable LIBs. The VB and CB of the TiO 2 and TiS 2 are shown in Figure 14d, demonstrating that the TiS 2 /TiO 2 hybrid nanosheets are beneficial for effective separation of photogenerated carriers.…”

3D Hierarchical Sunflower‐Shaped MoS2/SnO2 Photocathodes for Photo‐Rechargeable Zinc Ion Batteries

“…[ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] To date, some successful experiences have been accumulated in the fields of photo‐rechargeable batteries especially lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs), and sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). [ 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] However, these battery systems still suffer from high manufacturing costs, low operational safety, and harsh production conditions, limiting their large‐scale application. [ 36 ]…”