Electrochemical Performance of Zn/CFx Primary Battery under Different Electrolytes

Abstract

Fluorinated carbon (CF_x) is one of the most promising cathode materials for metal primary batteries. However, the usage of CF_x cathode for zinc-based batteries is relatively seldom reported. Herein, CF_x is employed as the cathode material for Zn-based primary batteries, and corresponding electrochemical performance under a series of aqueous electrolytes is also systematically investigated. The results reveal that among all the investigated electrolytes CF_x exhibits the highest capacity with the value as high as 827 mAh g⁻¹ under alkaline NaOH electrolyte environment, and corresponding maximum capacity can also reach 632, 607, 352, and 66 mAh g⁻¹ under those weak alkaline (sodium and potassium salts) and weak acid (zinc salts) electrolyte environment. In addition to the high capacity, CF_x also displays the best rate performance with a remarkable power density of 37607.19 W kg⁻¹ at current density of 50 000 mA g⁻¹ and the largest specific energy of 674 Wh kg⁻¹ at rate of 100 mA g⁻¹ under NaOH electrolytes. This work offers insights and guidance for the design of high-performance Zn/CF_x batteries, which are characterized by their low cost, excellent safety performance, and high-power density.