CaB12H12: A promising salt for aprotic electrolytes in calcium-based secondary batteries

Calcium dodecaborate, CaB 12 H 12 , is introduced and successfully tested as a promising salt for aprotic electrolytes in calcium-based batteries. The synthesis protocol for this innovative salt is both cost-effective and scalable, paving the way for environmentally safe and efficient manufacturing. The salt was incorporated into novel aprotic electrolyte formulations aimed at improving the reversibility of calcium plating and stripping, addressing a key challenge in calcium battery technology. Among the various tested formulations, a 0.25 M solution of CaB 12 H 12 in N -methyl pyrrolidone exhibits superior performance, enabling reversible calcium plating/stripping at room temperature with overpotentials below 0.5 V at a current density of 0.1 mAcm −2 . • CaB 12 H 12 is introduced as a promising salt for calcium battery electrolytes. • A scalable, cost-effective synthesis of CaB 12 H 12 is demonstrated. • CaB 12 H 12 enables reversible calcium plating/stripping at room temperature. • BF 3 OEt 2 additive enhances electrolyte performance and reduces side reactions. • Optimizing synthesis purity is key to improving electrolyte performance.