Effect Factors on the Performances of Commercial Al Alloy as Anode for Al-Air Batteries

Abstract

Commercial Al alloys are prospective anodes for Al-air batteries in alkaline solutions owing to the merits of largest output and low cost. Herein, the influence factors of corrosion behavior and electrochemical properties on the commercial Al alloys as anodes are investigated in detail through the hydrogen collection method and multiple electrochemical measurements. The factors include alloy grade, solution temperature, and electrolyte concentration. The results show that the 7075 alloy displays a lower self-corrosion rate and better electrochemical properties, which presents a high specific capacity of 2508.04 mAh g–1 at 75 mA cm–2 and a high energy capacity of 2020.64 Wh kg–1 at 50 mA cm–2. Considering the performance, the 7075 alloy can be applied to the preferred anode material for Al-air batteries. The study is of great significance for understanding the multicomponent commercial Al alloy anodes in alkaline batteries.