Self-assembling solid Sb electrode enables high-capacity, low-cost Ca-Sb battery

Sanghyeok Im, Peyman Asghari-Rad, Kelly Elizabeth Varnell, Alex T. Vai, Jianyi Cui, Rachael Howland, David Bradwell and Hojong Kim ()
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Sanghyeok Im: The Pennsylvania State University
Peyman Asghari-Rad: The Pennsylvania State University
Kelly Elizabeth Varnell: The Pennsylvania State University
Alex T. Vai: Ambri Incorporated
Jianyi Cui: Ambri Incorporated
Rachael Howland: Ambri Incorporated
David Bradwell: Ambri Incorporated
Hojong Kim: The Pennsylvania State University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract To decarbonize the power grid using renewable technologies without compromising its reliability, low-cost grid-scale energy storage with resilient long-term performance is required. We report a liquid metal battery that achieves high capacity, low electrode costs, and strong cycling performance by replacing the traditional liquid positive electrode with solid particles. The Ca||Sb(s) system described herein achieved 318% higher discharge capacity (715 mAh g−1 Sb) and 71% lower electrode cost (19.1 $ kWh−1) than the most competitive liquid metal battery chemistries yet published. The remarkable increase in specific capacity results from the self-assembly of a micro-structured electronically connected Sb network at the positive electrode during cycling while the formation of a liquid Ca-Li alloy at the negative electrode mitigates the growth of solid Ca dendrites. We demonstrate minimal capacity fade of the Ca||Sb(s) battery over ~4000 full depth-of-discharge cycles and high coulombic (>98.4%) and energy efficiencies (79–84%) at C-rates (C/8–C/10) relevant for daily storage applications coupled with intermittent renewable energy technologies.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62080-7

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