Dual-Ion Battery Technologies and Applications

Dual-ion batteries represent a non-rocking-chair energy storage concept in which both cations and anions participate in reversible electrochemical reactions. In a typical configuration, positive electrodes (often graphitic carbons) accommodate bulky anions at high potentials, while negative electrodes host metal or carbon-based cations at lower potentials. This dual-intercalation mechanism allows elevated operating voltages, rapid charge/discharge rates and the potential for high energy densities. Key materials challenges centre on matching cation-hosting anodes with anion-intercalation cathodes, stabilising electrode–electrolyte interfaces and engineering electrolytes that are stable at extreme potentials. Recent innovations include the use of highly concentrated organic salts, ionic liquids and gel polymer electrolytes to extend voltage windows and suppress side reactions. Two-dimensional polymer coatings and nanostructured electrodes have demonstrated enhanced ion-transport selectivity, mechanical robustness and cycling durability. Applications range from large-scale stationary storage to portable electronics, with particular interest in lithium-free chemistries using abundant sodium, potassium or aluminium ions. Ongoing research focuses on optimising electrode architectures, understanding interfacial chemistry and scaling safe, cost-effective electrolyte systems for commercial deployment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that ultrathin, positively charged polymer skins on graphitic cathodes can regulate anion transport and prevent solvent co-intercalation, leading to capacity retention above 90% over thousands of cycles. Advanced sodium-based dual-ion cells employing carbon-coated transition-metal chalcogenide nanocables as anodes have achieved over 97% capacity retention after extended cycling, with reversible capacities near 100 mAh g⁻¹ and high cell voltages above 3 V. Foundational work on lithium-free graphite dual-ion cells has shown that employing super-concentrated potassium fluorosulfonylimide electrolytes can yield cell-level energy densities exceeding 200 Wh kg⁻¹ at average discharge voltages around 4.7 V, underscoring the potential for high-energy stationary applications without reliance on scarce elements.

Dual-Ion Battery Technologies and Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dual-ion battery technologies and applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dual-ion battery: An electrochemical cell in which both positive and negative electrodes host ions (anions and cations) during charge and discharge.

Anion intercalation: The reversible insertion of negatively charged species into a layered host electrode material.

Cation intercalation: The reversible insertion of positively charged ions into an electrode lattice.

Electrolyte: A medium containing mobile ions that conducts charge between electrodes.

Graphite intercalation compound (GIC): A form of graphite into which guest ions or molecules are inserted between the graphene layers.

Coulombic efficiency: The ratio of discharge capacity to charge capacity, indicating the reversibility of electrochemical processes.

References

1. Ultrathin positively charged electrode skin for durable anion-intercalation battery chemistries. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Carbon-coated MoS1.5Te0.5 nanocables for efficient sodium-ion storage in non-aqueous dual-ion batteries. Nature Communications (2022).
3. High-energy-density dual-ion battery for stationary storage of electricity using concentrated potassium fluorosulfonylimide. Nature Communications (2018).
4. Fundamental Understanding and Optimization Strategies for Dual-Ion Batteries: A Review. Nano-Micro Letters (2023).
5. Charting the course to solid‐state dual‐ion batteries. Carbon Energy (2023).
6. Carbon materials for ion-intercalation involved rechargeable battery technologies. Chemical Society Reviews (2021).