Uniform Bi–Bi2O3 nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide composites for high-performance aqueous alkaline batteries

Abstract

Aqueous alkaline batteries (AABs) with the merits of both high energy density and power density have emerged as one of the most promising candidates for the new generation of energy storage devices, while their practical applications are still limited by the lack of high-performance electrode materials, especially for the anode materials. Herein, metallic bismuth–bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi–Bi₂O₃), with numerous heterogeneous interfaces, are successfully anchored and uniformly distributed on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets. When Bi–Bi₂O₃/rGO-20 electrode is used as the anode material for an AAB, it shows a high specific capacity of 288.0 mA h g⁻¹ (1036.9 F g⁻¹) at 1 A g⁻¹ and good rate capability (74.7% of capacity retention ratio at 20 A g⁻¹). Additionally, in order to match well with a Bi–Bi₂O₃/rGO-20 anode, CoVS_x thin sheets decorated with Ni–Co layered double hydroxide sheets (NiCo-LDH) were successfully constructed via a facile multistep hydrothermal method and a subsequent electrodeposition process. The resulting cathode exhibits a high specific capacity of 306.0 mA h g⁻¹ (2448 F g⁻¹) at 1 A g⁻¹. The assembled CoVS_x@NiCo-LDH//Bi–Bi₂O₃/rGO-20 AAB delivers an outstanding energy density of 106.1 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 789.6 W kg⁻¹. Besides, the as-synthesized Bi-based electrode is also used in aqueous Zn alkaline batteries to further extend its application and the assembled Bi–Bi₂O₃/rGO-20//Zn batteries possess an ultralong flat discharge plateau and exhibit a specific capacity of 250.6 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹. The results demonstrate that the as-assembled AAB has huge potential for practical applications and provides an inspiration for the next-generation energy storage devices.