BioTech Medics Inc (BMCS)

[energy_wave]

$BMCS The Promise of Calcium Batteries: Open Perspectives and Fair Comparisons

Research has increasingly shifted toward next-generation batteries that are (1) assembled with earth-abundant minerals and (2) work with multivalent ions. These two aspects synergize with the use of post-Li metals as the battery anode (e.g., Na, K, Mg, and Al). (1) Most recently, calcium (Ca) batteries have emerged as a promising next-generation electrochemical energy storage system (Figure 1). (1-3) When promoting next-generation systems, common figures of merit (FOMs) are used for comparison purposes, including theoretical capacity; theoretical energy density; rechargeable cycles; and, as expected, the performance of incumbent Li-ion or state-of-the-art Li-metal technology to assess possible performance parities (or current disparities). However, often such comparisons use ideal and even unrealistic values that may inevitably favor Li-ion or emerging Li-metal technology or favor one next-generation system while relegating others. Whereas, closer consideration of state-of-the-art metrics can reveal a more practical, realistic comparison and thereby level the playing field to allow proposed Ca battery technology to garner attention. Furthermore, comparisons must acknowledge the nascent level of Ca battery research and anticipate significant advances with continued research. The first part of this Viewpoint discusses some primary metrics to consider for Li and particularly Ca battery systems and shows how a fairer or realistic comparison reveals the clear promise of Ca battery chemistry. The second and final part of this Viewpoint discusses proposed approaches to advance calcium batteries toward becoming a veritable post-Li energy storage technology.

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https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsenergylett.1c00593