Reasonable Design and Deep Insight of Efficient Integrated Photorechargeable Li-Ion Batteries by Using a Cu/CuO/Cu2S Electrode

• Published in: Nano letters 2024-09, Vol.24 (35), p.10827-10833
• Main Authors: Wei, Meng, Zhang, Qiuman, Huang, Lisha, Xue, Zhengtao, Gao, Qiongzhi, Cai, Xin, Zhang, Shengsen, Fang, Yueping, Peng, Feng, Yuan, Teng, Yang, Siyuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02255

Herein, Cu-foam-supported CuO nanowire arrays covered with Cu2S nanosheet substrates (Cu/CuO/Cu2S) are adopted as efficient photoelectrodes for photorechargeable lithium-ion batteries (PR-LIBs). The assembled PR-LIB exhibits remarkable solar energy conversion efficiency alongside superior lithium storage capabilities. Without an electrical power supply, the photocharged PR-LIB sustained a discharge process for 63.0 h under a constant current density of 0.05 mA cm–2. The corresponding solar-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency is 4.50%, which is an impressive achievement among recently reported contemporary technologies. Mechanism investigation shows that the Cu/CuO/Cu2S photogenerated carriers augment the extraction and insertion of Li+ according to different oxidation and reduction reactions in the charging and discharging reactions. This research delineates a refined model system and proposes innovative directions for developing efficient heterojunction photoelectrodes, significantly propelling the development of PR-LIB technology.