Science Daily May 23, 2023
As potential alternatives to Li-ion batteries, rechargeable Ca metal batteries offer advantageous features such as high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and natural elemental abundance. However, Ca metal passivation by electrolytes and a lack of cathode materials with efficient Ca2+ storage capabilities, impede the development of practical Ca metal batteries. To overcome these limitations, an international team of researchers (Japan, USA – Toyota Research Institute of North America) verified the applicability of a CuS cathode in Ca metal batteries and its electrochemical properties. Their results showed that a CuS cathode comprising nanoparticles that are well dispersed in a high-surface-area carbon matrix could serve as an effective cathode for Ca2+ storage via the conversion reaction. This optimally functioning cathode was coupled with a tailored, weakly coordinating monocarborane-anion electrolyte, namely, Ca(CB11H12)2 in 1,2-dimethoxyethane/tetrahydrofuran, which enabled reversible Ca plating/stripping at room temperature. According to the researchers the combination affords a Ca metal battery with a long cycle life of over 500 cycles and capacity retention of 92% based on the capacity of the 10th cycle… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Structural characterization of the CuS/C composite… Credit: Advanced Science, Early View, 2301178, 19 May 2023Â