Hierarchical bismuthyl bromide microspheres assembled by laminas as efficient negative material for aqueous alkali battery

Abstract

Bismuth (Bi) based compounds are promising negative materials in aqueous alkali batteries (AABs) for the 3-electron redox chemistry of Bi element within low potentials, the exploration of new Bi-based negative materials is still a meaningful work in this field. Herein, a hierarchical bismuthyl bromide (BiOBr) microspheres material assembled by laminas was prepared via solvothermal reaction and attempted as negative battery material for AAB. The pronounced redox reactions of Bi species in low potential enable high battery capacity, and the porous texture with high hydrophilicity facilitates diffusion of OH– and participation in faradaic reactions. When used as negative battery electrode, the BiOBr could offer decent specific capacity (Cs, 190 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), rate capability (Cs remained to 163 mAh g−1 at 8 A g−1) and cycleability (85% Cs retention after 1000 charge–discharge cycles). The AAB based on BiOBr negative electrode could export an energy density (Ecell) of 61.5 Wh kg−1 at power density (Pcell) of 558 W kg−1 and good cycleability. The current work showcases valuable application expansion of a traditional BiOBr photocatalyst in battery typed charge storage.