Perspective on gallium-based room temperature liquid metal batteries

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a rapid development of deformable devices and epidermal electronics that are in urgent request for flexible batteries. The intrinsically soft and ductile conductive electrode materials can offer pivotal hints in extending the lifespan of devices under frequent deformation. Featuring inherent liquidity, metallicity, and biocompatibility, Ga-based room-temperature liquid metals (GBRTLMs) are potential candidates to fulfill the requirement of soft batteries. Herein, to illustrate the glamour of liquid components, high-temperature liquid metal batteries (HTLMBs) are briefly summarized from the aspects of principle, application, advantages, and drawbacks. Then, Ga-based liquid metals as main working electrodes in primary and secondary batteries are reviewed in terms of battery configurations, working mechanisms, and functions. Next, Ga-based liquid metals as auxiliary working electrodes in lithium and nonlithium batteries are also discussed, which work as functional self-healing additives to alleviate the degradation and enhance the durability and capacity of the battery system. After that, Ga-based liquid metals as interconnecting electrodes in multi-scenarios including photovoltaics solar cells, generators, and supercapacitors (SCs) are interpreted, respectively. The summary and perspective of Ga-based liquid metals as diverse battery materials are also focused on. Finally, it was suggested that tremendous endeavors are yet to be made in exploring the innovative battery chemistry, inherent reaction mechanism, and multifunctional integration of Ga-based liquid metal battery systems in the coming future.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

liquid metals / soft electrodes / flexible batteries / deformable energy supply devices / epidermal electronics

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 91748206), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2020YFC0122301).

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