The aluminium metal anode can exchange three electrons during the electrochemical process, hence can deliver a high theoretically high volumetric and gravimetric capacity. However, anode, cathode and electrolyte development is required before this type of cell can exploit the high energy density with a stability over a lifetime of cycles.
- Low cost – aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust [1]
- High volumetric energy density – 4x that of lithium and 7x that of sodium [1]
- High cycle life – potential for 10,000 cycles [3]
However, a number of issues have slowed the development:
- SEI formation – uneven formation and stability [2]
- Electrolyte stability – liquid aluminium chloride, corrodes the aluminium anode and is highly sensitive to moisture [3]
Graphene Aluminium Ion
Graphene cathode and aluminium anode, high charge rate battery technology.
References
- Shyamal K. Das, Sadhan Mahapatra and Homen Lahan, Aluminium-ion batteries: developments and challenges, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Issue 14, 2017
- Conditioning prepares aluminium-ion batteries for real-world use, physicsworld
- New design makes aluminum batteries last longer, ACS
See also: Dual Ion, Fluoride Ion