Abstract
Conventional closed batteries are constrained by the electrical energy efficiency of 100%, inevitably leading to the reduction of electricity storage. In contrast, open decoupled batteries offer the possibility to break this limitation, but remain unexplored. Here, we develop a highly efficient and sustainable open decoupled battery through a three-electrodynamic-potential (3E) design, simultaneously realizing waste-to-energy conversion, power generation and energy storage. For decoupled electrodes, we engineer high discharge voltage (ED) incorporating zinc oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions, and low charge voltage (EC) involving zinc-ion reduction and hydrazine (waste) oxidation reactions. Furthermore, we introduce reverse electrodialysis potential (ERED) by decoupling electrolytes. Consequently, the assembled battery demonstrates stability for 1000 cycles at the fast-charging current density of 300 mA cm−2. Moreover, a scaled 20-Ah-capacity battery was performed achieving a high electrical energy efficiency of 375% at 10 mA cm−2. Techno-economic analyses reveal that storing one megawatt-hour of electricity using the open decoupled battery can reduce the cost and carbon emissions of power generation by over 80% compared to conventional batteries. This work establishes a foundation for designing electricity-amplified batteries with economic and environmental benefits.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Grant No. 2023B1515120099, G.Z.), Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program (Grant No. 2021ZT09L197, G.Z.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant No. KQTD20210811090112002, G.Z.), Guangxi Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program (Grant No. GXYESS2025063, B.W.), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Grant No. 2025A1515011765, X.Z.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant No. JCYJ20240813094606009, X.Z.), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 22309077 and No. 22579077, X.Z.). The first author would like to thank Jianyu Xie from Southern University of Science and Technology, Zhiyuan Zhang, Zhiyuan Han and Yeyang Jia from Tsinghua University for their useful discussion.
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G.Z., Z.Z., B.W. and X.Z. conceived the project. Z.Z. and B.W. synthesized the materials. Z.Z. and F.Z. carried out the materials characterization and analyzed the data. B.W. conducted the TEAs. B.H. conducted theoretical simulations. J.X., Z.X., Z.L. and J.L. provided experimental insights. All authors participated in manuscript preparation.
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Zheng, Z., Zheng, FY., Huang, B. et al. An open decoupled cell design achieving electricity generation and amplification through waste-to-energy conversion. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68550-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68550-w
