A Lattice-Matching Strategy for Highly Reversible Copper-Metal Anodes in Aqueous Batteries

Copper metal is an attractive anode material for aqueous rechargeable batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (844 mAh g(-1)), good environmental compatibility and high earth abundance. However, the Cu anodes often suffer from poor deposition/stripping reversibility and nonuniform deposition during the charge/discharge process, degrading the lifetime of aqueous Cu-metal batteries. Herein, a lattice-matching strategy was developed to design high-performance Cu-metal anodes. In such a strategy, Ni substrates that exhibit high lattice matching with Cu were selected to support the Cu anodes. The high lattice matching endows Cu anodes with high deposition/stripping reversibility, low nucleation overpotential as well as a uniform and dense electrodeposition on Ni substrates. Based on the Ni substrate-supported Cu anodes, the full cells paired with lead dioxide cathodes show a stable cycling behavior. This work provides a route for the design of high-performance Cu electrodes in aqueous rechargeable batteries.