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The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.

Molten salts are a unique type of electrolyte enabling high-temperature electrochemical energy storage (EES) with unmatched reversible electrode kinetics and high ion-conductivities, and hence impressive storage capacity and power capability. However, their high tendency to evaporate and flow at high temperatures challenges the design and fabrication of the respective EES devices in terms of manufacturing cost and cycling durability. On the other hand, most of these EES devices require lithium-containing molten salts as the electrolyte to enhance performances, which not only increases the cost but also demands a share of the already limited lithium resources. Here we report a novel quasi-solid-state (QSS) electrolyte, consisting of the molten eutectic mixture of Na2CO3-K2CO3 and nanoparticles of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in a mass ratio of 1:1. The QSS electrolyte has relatively lower volatility in comparison with the pristine molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic, and therefore significantly suppresses the evaporation of molten salts, thanks to a strong interaction at the interface between molten salt and YSZ nanoparticles at high temperatures. The QSS electrolyte was used to construct an iron-air battery that performed excellently in charge-discharge cycling with high columbic and energy efficiencies. We also propose and confirm a redox mechanism at the three-phase interlines in the negative electrode. These findings can help establish a simpler and more efficient approach to designing low-cost and high-performance molten salt metal-air batteries with high stability and safety.

The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.

Molten salts are a unique type of electrolyte enabling high-temperature electrochemical energy storage (EES) with unmatched reversible electrode kinetics and high ion-conductivities, and hence impressive storage capacity and power capability. However, their high tendency to evaporate and flow at high temperatures challenges the design and fabrication of the respective EES devices in terms of manufacturing cost and cycling durability. On the other hand, most of these EES devices require lithium-containing molten salts as the electrolyte to enhance performances, which not only increases the cost but also demands a share of the already limited lithium resources. Here we report a novel quasi-solid-state (QSS) electrolyte, consisting of the molten eutectic mixture of Na2CO3-K2CO3 and nanoparticles of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in a mass ratio of 1:1. The QSS electrolyte has relatively lower volatility in comparison with the pristine molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic, and therefore significantly suppresses the evaporation of molten salts, thanks to a strong interaction at the interface between molten salt and YSZ nanoparticles at high temperatures. The QSS electrolyte was used to construct an iron-air battery that performed excellently in charge-discharge cycling with high columbic and energy efficiencies. We also propose and confirm a redox mechanism at the three-phase interlines in the negative electrode. These findings can help establish a simpler and more efficient approach to designing low-cost and high-performance molten salt metal-air batteries with high stability and safety.

The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.

Molten salts are a unique type of electrolyte enabling high-temperature electrochemical energy storage (EES) with unmatched reversible electrode kinetics and high ion-conductivities, and hence impressive storage capacity and power capability. However, their high tendency to evaporate and flow at high temperatures challenges the design and fabrication of the respective EES devices in terms of manufacturing cost and cycling durability. On the other hand, most of these EES devices require lithium-containing molten salts as the electrolyte to enhance performances, which not only increases the cost but also demands a share of the already limited lithium resources. Here we report a novel quasi-solid-state (QSS) electrolyte, consisting of the molten eutectic mixture of Na2CO3-K2CO3 and nanoparticles of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in a mass ratio of 1:1. The QSS electrolyte has relatively lower volatility in comparison with the pristine molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic, and therefore significantly suppresses the evaporation of molten salts, thanks to a strong interaction at the interface between molten salt and YSZ nanoparticles at high temperatures. The QSS electrolyte was used to construct an iron-air battery that performed excellently in charge-discharge cycling with high columbic and energy efficiencies. We also propose and confirm a redox mechanism at the three-phase interlines in the negative electrode. These findings can help establish a simpler and more efficient approach to designing low-cost and high-performance molten salt metal-air batteries with high stability and safety.

The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.

The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.

Molten salts are a unique type of electrolyte enabling high-temperature electrochemical energy storage (EES) with unmatched reversible electrode kinetics and high ion-conductivities, and hence impressive storage capacity and power capability. However, their high tendency to evaporate and flow at high temperatures challenges the design and fabrication of the respective EES devices in terms of manufacturing cost and cycling durability. On the other hand, most of these EES devices require lithium-containing molten salts as the electrolyte to enhance performances, which not only increases the cost but also demands a share of the already limited lithium resources. Here we report a novel quasi-solid-state (QSS) electrolyte, consisting of the molten eutectic mixture of Na2CO3-K2CO3 and nanoparticles of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in a mass ratio of 1:1. The QSS electrolyte has relatively lower volatility in comparison with the pristine molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic, and therefore significantly suppresses the evaporation of molten salts, thanks to a strong interaction at the interface between molten salt and YSZ nanoparticles at high temperatures. The QSS electrolyte was used to construct an iron-air battery that performed excellently in charge-discharge cycling with high columbic and energy efficiencies. We also propose and confirm a redox mechanism at the three-phase interlines in the negative electrode. These findings can help establish a simpler and more efficient approach to designing low-cost and high-performance molten salt metal-air batteries with high stability and safety.

Molten salts are a unique type of electrolyte enabling high-temperature electrochemical energy storage (EES) with unmatched reversible electrode kinetics and high ion-conductivities, and hence impressive storage capacity and power capability. However, their high tendency to evaporate and flow at high temperatures challenges the design and fabrication of the respective EES devices in terms of manufacturing cost and cycling durability. On the other hand, most of these EES devices require lithium-containing molten salts as the electrolyte to enhance performances, which not only increases the cost but also demands a share of the already limited lithium resources. Here we report a novel quasi-solid-state (QSS) electrolyte, consisting of the molten eutectic mixture of Na2CO3-K2CO3 and nanoparticles of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in a mass ratio of 1:1. The QSS electrolyte has relatively lower volatility in comparison with the pristine molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic, and therefore significantly suppresses the evaporation of molten salts, thanks to a strong interaction at the interface between molten salt and YSZ nanoparticles at high temperatures. The QSS electrolyte was used to construct an iron-air battery that performed excellently in charge-discharge cycling with high columbic and energy efficiencies. We also propose and confirm a redox mechanism at the three-phase interlines in the negative electrode. These findings can help establish a simpler and more efficient approach to designing low-cost and high-performance molten salt metal-air batteries with high stability and safety.

The energy and power density of conventional batteries are far lower than their theoretical expectations, primarily because of the slow reaction kinetics in the battery that is often working under ambient conditions. Here we describe a low-cost and high-temperature rechargeable iron-oxygen battery containing a bi-phase electrolyte of molten carbonate and solid oxide. This new design merges the merits of solid oxide fuel cell and molten metal-air battery, offering significantly improved battery reaction kinetics and hence the power capability without compromising the energy capacity. The as-fabricated battery prototype can be charged at high current density, and exhibit excellent stability and security in highly charged state without self-discharge. It typically exhibits 129.1 Wh kg-1 in specific energy and 2.8 kW kg-1 in specific power, and 388.1 Wh L-1 in energy density and 21.0 kW L -1 in power density based on the mass and volume of the molten salt, respectively.