Rechargeable aqueous Na–air batteries: Highly improved voltage efficiency by use of catalysts

• A rechargeable aqueous Na–air battery was fabricated.
• Discharge voltage of 2.85 V was obtained.
• Designed battery showed a small voltage gap between charge and discharge curve.
• Highly improved voltage efficiency of 84.3% was achieved.

The first rechargeable aqueous Na–air battery has been fabricated, and its electrochemical properties and reversibility are reported herein. The charge–discharge properties of the battery were tested using both Vulcan XC72R- and Pt/C-coated carbon paper as the air electrode. Pt/C-coated carbon paper exhibited a voltage efficiency of 84.3%, whereas, for Vulcan XC72R-coated carbon paper and uncoated carbon paper, the observed efficiencies were 78.0% and 72.4%, respectively. Use of Pt/C-coated carbon paper led to a high and stable discharging voltage of 2.85 V. The reported rechargeable aqueous Na–air battery is a potential candidate for high energy density batteries in the future.

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