Photo-assisted enhancement of lithium-ion battery performance with a LiFePO4/TiO2 composite cathode

The development of photo-assisted lithium-ion batteries (P-LIBs) holds immense promise for enhancing battery performance and enabling self-charging capabilities. However, the realization of these transformative devices hinges on the creation of novel photoelectrodes with exceptional light absorption and electrochemical properties. In this study, we introduce a composite photocathode composed of TiO2 and LiFePO4, demonstrating remarkable dual functionality for light-to-electricity conversion and energy storage. Comparative analysis reveals substantial improvements in the charge/discharge capacity of P-LIBs under sunlight, with enhancements of 6.6 % and 4.6 % at a 0.5 C rate. Our findings attribute these performance gains to rapid Li+ conduction, facilitating complete valence state transitions between Fe2+ and Fe3+ under sunlight conditions. This work paves the way for significant advancements in photoelectrode design for P-LIBs.