Perovskite lead-based oxide anodes for rechargeable batteries

Lead-based perovskites (PbTiO3 and PbZrO3) are introduced as novel anode materials for non-aqueous M-ion rechargeable batteries (M = Li, Na, K). These compounds were scalably prepared by conventional solid-state (dry) and combustion (wet) routes. Charge storage in these perovskites involves a standard conversion (PbII -> Pb-0) followed by reversible Li-Pb/Na-Pb/K-Pb (de)alloying reaction. The oxide matrix (M2O, TiO2 etc.) phase is crucial for reversibility of Pb alloying reaction, as pristine PbO fails fast. The conversion-alloying reaction mechanism has been verified by ex situ electron microscopy (TEM) study. PbTiO3 delivered 410 mAh/g capacity in the first charge vs. Li/Li+ and Na/Na+, while around 180 mAh/g capacity was observed vs. K/K+. Particularly, PbTiO3 forms a robust anode for sodium-ion batteries with maximum charge extracted under low voltage (below 0.8 V vs. Na/Na+, 275 mAh/g). Similar electrochemical activity was also noticed for other perovskites like PbZrO3 that confirms Pb-based (simple and mixed) perovskites can form a potential class of battery anode materials.