Fluoride ion batteries: Theoretical performance, safety, toxicity, and a combinatorial screening of new electrodes

•A review of recent research progress in fluoride ion batteries (FIBs) is presented.•In FIBs, fluoride ions function as charge carriers at high or room temperature.•We describe the underlying theory, safety, and toxicity of such battery systems.•A combinatorial screening of room-temperature FIBs is proposed.

Only a handful of publications exist on the topic of fluoride ion batteries (FIBs). These are electrochemical cells in which a negative anion—fluoride—enables charge transport. In this review, we will report, for the first time, an extensive theoretical screening of FIBs as well as an analysis of the safety and toxicity of electrochemical couples of such batteries. This article will also review the research progress made in recent years in the areas of high-temperature and room-temperature FIBs. A combinatorial screening of room-temperature FIBs consisting of seven different cathode and nine different anode materials is proposed at the end to further illustrate the potential and issues of such battery systems.

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