A 2.75 V ammonium-based dual-ion battery

The popular metal-ion batteries (MIBs) suffer from environmental and economic issues because of their heavy dependency on nonrenewable metals. Here, we propose a metal-free ammonium (NH4+)-based dual-ion battery with a record-breaking operation voltage of 2.75 V. The working mechanism of this sustainable battery involves the reversible anion (PF6-) intercalation chemistry in graphite cathode and NH4+ intercalation behavior in PTCDI (3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide) anode. This new battery configuration successfully circumvented the reduction susceptibility of NH4+ and the lack of mature NH4+-rich cathodes for NH4+ ion batteries (AIBs). The customized organic NH4+ electrolyte endows the graphite||PTCDI full battery with durable longevity (over 1000 cycles) and a high energy density (200 Wh kg(-1)). We show that the development of AIBs should be high-voltage-oriented while circumventing low operation potential to avoid NH4+ reduction.

Automated summary

This study proposes a metal-free ammonium-based dual-ion battery with high operation voltage and durable cycle life. By using a customized organic NH4+ electrolyte in graphite and PTCDI anodes, the reduction susceptibility of NH4+ and the lack of mature NH4+-rich cathodes for NH4+ ion batteries (AIBs) are successfully addressed.