Abstract
Alkaline iron (Fe) batteries are attractive due to the high abundance, low cost, and multiple valent states of Fe but show limited columbic efficiency and storage capacity when forming electrochemically inert Fe3O4 on discharging and parasitic H2 on charging. Herein, sodium silicate is found to promote Fe(OH)2/FeOOH against Fe(OH)2/Fe3O4 conversions. Electrochemical experiments, operando X-ray characterization, and atomistic simulations reveal that improved Fe(OH)2/FeOOH conversion originates from (i) strong interaction between sodium silicate and iron oxide and (ii) silicate-induced strengthening of hydrogen-bond networks in electrolytes that inhibits water transport. Furthermore, the silicate additive suppresses hydrogen evolution by impairing energetics of water dissociation and hydroxyl de-sorption on iron surfaces. This new silicate-assisted redox chemistry mitigates H2 and Fe3O4 formation, improving storage capacity (199 mAh g-1 in half-cells) and coulombic efficiency (94 % after 400 full-cell cycles), paving a path to realizing green battery systems built from earth-abundant materials.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
