Advancing Fluoride-Ion Batteries with a Pb-PbF2 Counter Electrode and a Diluted Liquid Electrolyte

Abstract

Fluoride ion batteries (FIB) are a promising post lithium-ion technology thanks to their high theoretical energy densities and Earth-abundant materials. However, the flooded cells commonly used to test liquid electrolyte FIBs severely affect the overall performance and impede comparability across different studies, hindering FIB progress. Here, we report a reliable Pb-PbF2 counter electrode that enables the use of two-electrode coin cells. To test this setup, we first introduce a liquid electrolyte that combines the advantages of a highly concentrated electrolyte (tetramethylammonium fluoride in methanol) while addressing its transport and high-cost shortcomings by introducing a diluent (propionitrile). We then demonstrate the viability of this system by reporting a BiF3-Pb-PbF2 cell with the highest capacity retention to date.