3D printing structure -based Cu&Bi₂O₃ anode toward high-performance rechargeable alkaline battery and photodetector

As an energy storage device, the aqueous alkaline battery holds great potential, particularly for applications requiring high energy density and high power density. Anode materials with excellent performance are indispensable to producing stable and high-energy aqueous rechargeable batteries. In this study, 3D-printed porous and planar substrates were employed as growth vehicles for Bi₂O₃. As a result, rapid charge transfer and ion diffusion are successfully achieved by utilizing porous structure channels. A remarkable specific capacity of 2.63 mAh cm⁻² is attained for the porous structure-based Bi₂O₃, which can attribute to the formed p-type homojunction between CuO/Cu₂O and Bi₂O₃. Additionally, the cycle stability of Bi₂O₃ deposited on the porous structure substrate is enhanced dramatically due to this structure enables less bismuth-based salt ions, oxide, and hydroxide deposition. Consequently, the harmful accumulation of bismuth-based mixture deposition on the anode surface was prevented, resulting in the mitigation of electrode passivation. Besides, a favorable photoresponse rate is displayed for the porous structure Bi₂O₃ anode, proving the practicable Cu&Bi₂O₃ combination and the reasonable structural design.