Stable Aluminum Metal Anode Enabled by Dual-Functional Molybdenum Nanoparticles

Constructing robust anode with strong aluminophilicity and rapid desolvation kinetics is essential for achieving high utilization, long-term durability, and superior rate performance in Al metal-based energy storage, yet remains largely unexplored. Herein, molybdenum nanoparticles embedded onto nitrogen-doped graphene (Mo@NG) are designed and prepared as Al host to regulate the deposition behavior and achieve homogeneous Al plating/stripping. The monodispersed Mo nanoparticles reduce the desolvation energy barrier and promote the deposition kinetics of Al. Additionally, Mo nanoparticles act as aluminophilic nucleation sites to minimize the Al nucleation overpotential, further guiding uniform and dense Al deposition. As a result, the dual-functional Mo@NG endows Al anodes with low voltage hysteresis, reversible Al plating/stripping with high coulombic efficiency, and excellent high-rate capability under 5 mA cm^-2. Moreover, the as-designed Al metal full batteries deliver a high capacity retention of 92.8% after 3000 cycles at 1 A g^-1. This work provides an effective solution to optimize the electrochemical properties of Al metal anode from the perspective of desolvation and deposition reactions, towards the development of high-safety and long-cycling aluminum-ion batteries.