Development of an AlCl<sub>3</sub>-Urea Ionic Liquid for the Electroless Deposition of Aluminum on Carbon Nanotubes

Rechargeable Al batteries (RAB) are promising candidates for safe and environmentally sustainable battery systems with low-cost investments. However, the currently used aluminum chloride-based electrolytes present a significant challenge to commercialization due to their corrosive nature. Here, we report for the first time, a novel electrolyte combination for RAB based on aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate (Al(OTf)3) with tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) additive in diglyme. The presence of a mere 0.1 M of TBAC in the Al(OTf)3 electrolyte generates the charge carrying electrochemical species, which forms the basis of reaction at the electrodes. TBAC reduces the charge transfer resistance and the surface activation energy at the anode surface and also augments the dissociation of Al(OTf)3 to generate the solid electrolyte interphase components. Our electrolyte's superiority directly translates into reduced anodic overpotential for cells that ran for 1300 cycles in Al plating/stripping tests, the longest cycling life reported to date. This unique combination of salt and additive is non-corrosive, exhibits a high flash point and is cheaper than traditionally reported RAB electrolyte combinations, which makes it commercially promising. Through this report, we address a major roadblock in the commercialization of RAB and inspire equivalent electrolyte fabrication approaches for other metal anode batteries.

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“…6g). Al 2p and Cl 2p spectra indicate the presence of Al-Cl species [12,68], likely to be AlCl 4 − as reported widely in RAB [15,69].…”

Section: Full-cellsupporting

confidence: 61%

Additive-Driven Interfacial Engineering of Aluminum Metal Anode for Ultralong Cycling Life

et al. 2022

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“…Although research using these solvent systems is primarily driven by electrochemical applications, ,,,, interest in them for EL processes is increasing. Several such examples have been cited throughout this article, including galvanic deposition of Al onto U using a AlCl 3 -EMIC RTIL (Aluminum section), EL Bi deposition onto Cu using an ethaline DES (Bismuth section), galvanic Re deposition onto Cu, Ni, or steel substrates using reline DES (Rhenium section), and galvanic Sn deposition onto Cu substrates using a ChCl-thiourea DES (Tin section), among others. ,,,,,− …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recent work has demonstrated the applicability of these EL Al baths for plating various substrates, such as Ni nanowires 595 and Pd/Sn colloid-catalyzed CNTs. 596 Several other baths for Al deposition have also been subsequently described. For example, Shen et al 597 deposit an epitaxial Al film having an electrical resistivity close to that of bulk Al onto a Pt surface via decomposition of triethylamine alane at ∼105−120 °C in 4-methylanisole solution containing added N,N-dimethyloctylamine as a stabilizing agent.…”

Section: Acs Appliedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electroless Metallization of the Elements: Survey and Progress

Turró

Dressick

2022

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater.

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The electroless plating of metals and their alloys, oxides, and chalcogenides represents a critically important technology for the automotive, aerospace, machine tools, and, especially, the electronics industries. Since the initial efforts involving the plating of industrially important metals, such as Ni, Co, Cu, Ag, and Au, in the mid-20th century, the process has evolved to encompass a growing number of elements. At the same time, this expansion in the palette of accessible metals has enabled progress in these industries and evoked new nonconventional applications. In this review, we collect and survey available electroless processes in aqueous and organic solvent systems for each element organized according to position in the Periodic Table as a resource for the reader. Examples illustrating progress in the field are presented and are described in sufficient detail to be useful and understandable for both the expert and nonexpert. Given the historical importance of electronics as a driver for development of electroless processes, examples are electronics-related where possible. However, we strive to also include examples of applications in nontraditional fields to provide the reader with a sense of generality available for electroless methods. The review closes with an outlook for the field and a challenge to scientists and engineers to adapt electroless processes for new applications to continue the growth of the field.

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“…Feng et al [145] prepared Ag-coated MWCNTs using a formaldehyde as the reducing agent. Mohammed et al [146] fabricated Al-coated MWCNTs from an AlCl 3 -urea ionic liquid using a lithium aluminum hydride as the reducing agent.…”

Section: Other Metal-coated Cntsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication of Metal/Carbon Nanotube Composites by Electrochemical Deposition

Arai

2021

Electrochem

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Metal/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are promising functional materials due to the various superior properties of CNTs in addition to the characteristics of metals, and consequently, many fabrication processes of these composites have been vigorously researched. In this paper, the fabrication process of metal/CNT composites by electrochemical deposition, including electrodeposition and electroless deposition, are comprehensively reviewed. A general introduction for fabrication of metal/CNT composites using the electrochemical deposition is carried out. The fabrication methods can be classified into three types: (1) composite plating by electrodeposition or electroless deposition, (2) metal coating on CNT by electroless deposition, and (3) electrodeposition using CNT templates, such as CNT sheets and CNT yarns. The performances of each type have been compared and explained especially from the view point of preparation methods. In the cases of (1) composite plating and (2) metal coating on CNTs, homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in electrochemical deposition baths is essential for the formation of metal/CNT composites with homogeneous distribution of CNTs, which leads to high performance composites. In the case of (3) electrodeposition using CNT templates, the electrodeposition of metals not only on the surfaces but also interior of the CNT templates is the key process to fabricate high performance metal/CNT composites.

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Development of an AlCl₃-Urea Ionic Liquid for the Electroless Deposition of Aluminum on Carbon Nanotubes

Cited by 7 publications

References 34 publications

Additive-Driven Interfacial Engineering of Aluminum Metal Anode for Ultralong Cycling Life

Additive-Driven Interfacial Engineering of Aluminum Metal Anode for Ultralong Cycling Life

Electroless Metallization of the Elements: Survey and Progress

Fabrication of Metal/Carbon Nanotube Composites by Electrochemical Deposition

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Development of an AlCl3-Urea Ionic Liquid for the Electroless Deposition of Aluminum on Carbon Nanotubes

Cited by 7 publications

References 34 publications

Additive-Driven Interfacial Engineering of Aluminum Metal Anode for Ultralong Cycling Life

Additive-Driven Interfacial Engineering of Aluminum Metal Anode for Ultralong Cycling Life

Electroless Metallization of the Elements: Survey and Progress

Fabrication of Metal/Carbon Nanotube Composites by Electrochemical Deposition

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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Development of an AlCl₃-Urea Ionic Liquid for the Electroless Deposition of Aluminum on Carbon Nanotubes