High-performance monoclinic WO3 nanospheres with the novel NH4+ diffusion behaviors for aqueous ammonium-ion batteries

Abstract

Aqueous ammonium-ion batteries (AAIBs) have attracted tremendous attentions due to their plentiful resources, inherent security and environmental friendliness. From the first-principles calculations and ex-situ measurements, monoclinic WO3 revealed the three-dimensional equilibrium diffusion behaviors during the electrochemical processes, and the novel evolution processes of reversible building/breaking between geometric hydrogen bonds and traditional linear hydrogen bonds. Specifically, monoclinic WO3 delivered a high specific capacity of 150.6 mAh g-1 at the current density of 0.1 A g-1, and exhibited excellent rate capability of 48 mAh g-1 at the current density of 5.0 A g-1 and outstanding cycling stability of 86.6 % capacity retention after 500 cycles. Furthermore, the ammonium-ion full batteries based on the monoclinic WO3 anode and γ-MnO2 cathode achieved a perfect energy density of 64.9 Wh kg-1 and an extreme ultra-long lifespan with 95.4 % capacity retention after 5000 cycles at the current density of 3.0 A g-1. Thus, the novel insights on NH4+ diffusion behaviors and the evolution mechanisms of hydrogen bonds could promote the development of the practical applications for monoclinic WO3 in aqueous ammonium-ion batteries.