A Lattice‐Matching Strategy for Highly Reversible Copper‐Metal Anodes in Aqueous Batteries

Copper metal is an attractive anode material for aqueous rechargeable batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (844 mAh g−1), good environmental compatibility and high earth abundance. However, the Cu anodes often suffer from poor deposition/stripping reversibility and nonuniform deposition during the charge/discharge process, degrading the lifetime of aqueous Cu‐metal batteries. Herein, a lattice‐matching strategy was developed to design high‐performance Cu‐metal anodes. In such a strategy, Ni substrates that exhibit high lattice matching with Cu were selected to support the Cu anodes. The high lattice matching endows Cu anodes with high deposition/stripping reversibility, low nucleation overpotential as well as a uniform and dense electrodeposition on Ni substrates. Based on the Ni substrate‐supported Cu anodes, the full cells paired with lead dioxide cathodes show a stable cycling behavior. This work provides a route for the design of high‐performance Cu electrodes in aqueous rechargeable batteries. A lattice‐matching strategy was developed to design high‐performance Cu‐metal anodes. Benefiting from the high lattice matching between Cu anodes and Ni substrates, Ni substrate‐supported Cu anodes exhibit superior deposition/striping reversibility, lower nucleation overpotential and uniform deposition on the Ni substrates in comparison with other typical substrates.