FeNi-LDH Intercalation for Suppressing the Self-Discharge of the VB₂–Air Battery

The VB2–air battery is currently known for its highest theoretical specific capacity, up to 4060 mA h g–1. This together with the excellent environmental compatibility and high security endues with promising application prospects for the battery. However, the self-discharge of the anode caused by hydrogen evolution corrosion results in a severe capacity loss during discharge. In this work, we studied the FeNi-LDH intercalation for suppressing the self-discharge of the VB2–air battery. We adopt the vertical FeNi-LDH arrays to modify VB2 particles. Hydroxyl ions participating in the discharge reaction are transported along adsorbed water molecules and hydroxide host layers through a rapid hydrogen bond formation and cleavage to the VB2 surface, while the depolarizer hydrogen ions are isolated. The hydrogen evolution corrosion on the VB2 anode is effectively suppressed. As a result, the discharge specific capacity of the battery is increased by 700 mA h g–1.