Ion Flux Optimization via Hollow Carbon Nanoreactors for High-Power and Energy-Dense Li-Cl2 Batteries

Rechargeable Li-Cl ₂ batteries are a promising high-energy-density technology but having critical challenges of limited rates and capacities. Insufficient and uneven ion flux in the interior of cathode is a crucial factor that hinders the rate performance and specific capacity of Li-Cl ₂ battery. Herein, we propose and develop hollow carbon nanoreactors (HCNRs) as cathode materials for extremely high-power and high-energy Li-Cl ₂ batteries. By confining electrolytes within tailored cavities, HCNRs facilitate enhanced and spatially homogenized ion flux in the interior of cathode, eliminating the reliance on bulk electrolyte diffusion and prohibiting rapid electrode degradation. This design enables the as-assembled Li-Cl ₂ cell to achieve an ultrahigh current density of 120 mA/cm ² during the charge/discharge process (charging to 500 mAh/g in 15 s) and a record-breaking specific capacity of 8000 mAh/g (9 mAh/cm ² ), superior to the reported literature. Furthermore, we demonstrate the scalability of this design in a 1-Ah-scale pouch cell, achieving a practical cell-specific energy of 106 Wh/kg. This hollow nanoreactor design highlights the potential of Li-Cl ₂ batteries as high-power and energy-dense systems, paving the way for their practical applications.