Nonaqueous Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries: Progresses, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

For significantly increasing the energy densities to satisfy the growing demands, new battery materials and electrochemical chemistry beyond conventional rocking-chair based Li-ion batteries should be developed urgently. Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) with the features of low cost, high safety, easy fabrication, environmental friendliness, and long cycling life have gained increasing attention. Although there are pronounced advantages of utilizing earth-abundant Al metals as negative electrodes for high energy density, such RAB technologies are still in the preliminary stage and considerable efforts will be made to further promote the fundamental and practical issues. For providing a full scope in this review, we summarize the development history of Al batteries and analyze the thermodynamics and electrode kinetics of nonaqueous RABs. The progresses on the cutting-edge of the nonaqueous RABs as well as the advanced characterizations and simulation technologies for understanding the mechanism are discussed. Furthermore, major challenges of the critical battery components and the corresponding feasible strategies toward addressing these issues are proposed, aiming to guide for promoting electrochemical performance (high voltage, high capacity, large rate capability, and long cycling life) and safety of RABs. Finally, the perspectives for the possible future efforts in this field are analyzed to thrust the progresses of the state-of-the-art RABs, with expectation of bridging the gap between laboratory exploration and practical applications.

Application of Ionic Liquids for Batteries and Supercapacitors

“…Among other metal-ion batteries, Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) also possess a lot of advantages such as being lightweight, three-electron transfer electrode ability (Al 3+ + 3e − Al), low cost, most abundant and most significantly high volumetric capacity (8040 mAh/g), and high gravimetric capacity (2980 mAh/g), just in the second position next to LIBs (3870 mAh/g) [ 99 , 112 ]. However, many studies are still ongoing, and state of the art of AIBs, carbon-based electrodes and ILs electrolytes combinations have proved to be one of the most suitable combinations due to their synergistic effect and many research groups also focus on AlCl 3 -type ILs electrolytes in AIBs [ 117 , 118 ]. Furthermore, inorganic material (e.g., V 2 O 5 ) cathodes and ILs electrolytes such as AlCl 3 /(EMIm)Cl can be useful in AIBs.…”

Towards Chloride-Free Organic Electrolytes for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Nevertheless, their integration into a practical Al-ion battery is hindered by severe drawbacks including the instability of cathode materials in these electrolytes leading to rapid capacity fading, 20 high corrosivity towards Al anodes 29 and stainless steel current collectors, 13 and side reactions that generate Cl 2 gas. 30,31 Moreover, considering that molten salts are often limited to high operating temperatures, 6 organic solvents present an appealing choice for room temperature Al-ion battery application. The development of an organic electrolyte, however, is a challenging task that requires a fundamental understanding of the solute/solvent ion-dipole and coulombic interactions.…”

Towards Chloride-Free Organic Electrolytes for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Nevertheless, their integration into a practical Al-ion battery is hindered by severe drawbacks including the instability of cathode materials in these electrolytes leading to rapid capacity fading, 20 high corrosivity towards Al anodes 29 and stainless steel current collectors, 13 and side reactions that generate Cl 2 gas. 30,31 Moreover, considering that molten salts are often limited to high operating temperatures, 6 organic solvents present an appealing choice for room temperature Al-ion battery application. The development of an organic electrolyte, however, is a challenging task that requires a fundamental understanding of the solute/solvent ion-dipole and coulombic interactions.…”