Constructing static two-electron lithium-bromide battery

Despite their potential as conversion-type energy storage technologies, the performance of static lithium-bromide (SLB) batteries has remained stagnant for decades. Progress has been hindered by the intrinsic liquid-liquid redox mode and single-electron transfer of these batteries. Here, we developed a high-performance SLB battery based on the active bromine salt cathode and the two-electron transfer chemistry with a Br⁻/Br⁺ redox couple by electrolyte tailoring. The introduction of NO₃⁻ improved the reversible single-electron transition of Br⁻, and more impressively, the coordinated Cl⁻ anions activated the Br⁺ conversion to provide an additional electron transfer. A voltage plateau was observed at 3.8 V, and the discharge capacity and energy density were increased by 142 and 159% compared to the one-electron reaction benchmark. This two-step conversion mechanism exhibited excellent stability, with the battery functioning for 1000 cycles. These performances already approach the state of the art of currently established Li-halogen batteries. We consider the established two-electron redox mechanism highly exemplary for diversified halogen batteries. copyright © 2024 the Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. no claim to original U.S.