A Hydrogen-Aided Rechargeable Battery.

Abstract

Rechargeable metal-air batteries, despite their high energy density and cost-effectiveness, suffer from sluggish cathodic reaction kinetics, resulting in high overpotential and low energy efficiency. In this study, a hydrogen-aided battery (HAB) based on zinc-air battery (ZAB) technology, which retains the discharge process of ZAB while introducing hydrogen gas into the cathode during charging, is proposed. The introduction of hydrogen replaces the conventional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), significantly enhancing the electrochemical performance of ZAB. Leveraging the faster kinetics and lower overpotential of HOR, the hydrogen-coupled charging enables ultra-fast and stable charging (9 s to 1 mAh cm^- ²) with over 200 cycles. Compared to lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, HAB exhibits superior safety by eliminating the need for flammable electrolytes and portable hydrogen storage devices. The simultaneous "refueling" of hydrogen and electricity offers rapid energy replenishment, positioning HAB as a transformative technology for electric vehicles to address key challenges such as range anxiety and prolonged charging durations. This work not only advances the performance of metal-air batteries but also provides an innovative strategy for integrating hydrogen energy into electrochemical systems.