Know What's Happening in Energy

Sub-Nanometer Pores in Carbon Nanoreactors Trap Chlorine and Boost Li-Cl2 Battery Performance

Researchers have engineered hollow carbon nanoreactors with sub‑nanometer wall pores that physically trap chlorine‑electrolyte complexes inside Li‑Cl₂ battery cathodes. The 0.8 nm pores block 0.86 nm complexes while allowing lithium and chloride ions to pass, creating confined reaction chambers. This architecture delivers a record specific capacity of 8000 mAh g⁻¹ and sustains charge‑discharge rates up to 100 mA cm⁻² for over 400 cycles. Pouch‑cell prototypes achieved ~106 Wh kg⁻¹ and were recharged by a small solar panel in one hour.