The Limited Influence of Transference Number on the Performance of Nanoscale Batteries

This manuscript presents a study of the impacts of the transference number on the performance of nanoscale batteries. We use numerical simulation to show that the transference number is a poor predictor of nanoscale battery performance. We attribute this finding to the ability of electrolytes to break local charge neutrality over nanometer length scales, thereby mitigating the negative effects of concentration polarization within and in between the electrodes. These results highlight the need for separate design principles when engineering materials for very small battery systems.