High Performance Hybrid Aqueous Li/NiCl₂ Rechargeable Batteries with Water-Stable High Lithium-Ion Conductivity Solid Electrolyte

The feasibility of a novel high specific energy and power density rechargeable aqueous lithium battery with a lithium anode, an aqueous NiCl2 catholyte, and a water-stable high lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte separator was investigated. Water-stable Li1.6Al0.4Ge0.2Ti1.4(PO4)(3)-10 wt% TiO2-3 wt% LiCl center dot H2O-expoxy resin (LAGTP-T), which has a high lithium-ion conductivity of 10(-3) Scm 1 at 25 degrees C and an excellent bending strength of 150 Nmm(-2) was used as the separator between the lithium anode and the aqueous NiCl2 catholyte in the rechargeable aqueous Li/NiCl2 battery. The battery was successfully operated at 5 mAcm(-2) and room temperature. The estimated specific energy density of the battery based on the cell components of a 200 mu m thick LAGTP-T, a lithium anode, current collectors, and an interlayer electrolyte is higher than that of the conventional lithium-ion battery with a carbon anode and a LiCoO2 cathode at a high specific capacity of more than 15 mAh cm(-2) and that at 50 mAhcm(-2)is two times higher than that of the lithium-ion battery.