Recent Advances and Challenge of Bismuth-Based Architectures for Aqueous Anion Storage

Abstract

Bismuth-based materials have emerged as promising candidates for aqueous anion storage, addressing critical challenges in conventional battery systems such as safety risks, resource scarcity, and environmental concerns. This review comprehensively analyzes recent advancements in aqueous bismuth-based batteries (ABBs), focusing on anion-mediated storage mechanisms involving hydroxyl, halide, sulfide, phosphate, and carbonate ions. Key advantages of bismuth include low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, minimal volume expansion, and multi-electron redox capabilities enabling high theoretical capacities. However, practical deployment remains hindered by capacity fade, insufficient mass loading, and electrolyte instability. The discussion highlights material design strategies, such as nanostructuring, heterojunction engineering, and lattice strain modulation, to enhance conductivity, cycling stability, and rate performance. Comparative analyses reveal trade-offs between charge carrier kinetics, capacity, and stability with halogen-based systems excelling in rate capability and multivalent anions offering higher capacities. The further challenges and further prospects are also discussed in the end. By bridging fundamental insights with scalable innovations, this work outlines pathways to realize high-energy, durable, and environmentally sustainable Bi-based ABBs for grid-scale and portable energy storage.