Solvation Structure Regulation for Highly Reversible Aqueous Al Metal Batteries
Zhongchen Zhao1, Zonghan Zhang2, Tian Xu1
1Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 9, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a new electrolyte for aqueous aluminum batteries. By adding pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, they suppressed side reactions, improving stability and enabling high energy density for aluminum batteries.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Metallic aluminum (Al) offers high theoretical capacity for aqueous batteries but suffers from side reactions like corrosion and passivation in conventional electrolytes.
- These issues stem from the solvation reaction between Al ions and water molecules, limiting battery performance and lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To suppress water activity and Al corrosion in aqueous electrolytes.
- To enhance the electrochemical stability and reversibility of aqueous Al metal batteries.
Main Methods:
- Optimized Al3+ solvation structure by intercalating pyridine-3-carboxylic acid into an aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate aqueous environment.
- Modified the surface energy of Al electrodes using pyridine-3-carboxylic acid to prevent random Al deposition.
Main Results:
- Suppressed water activity and Al corrosion, significantly improving electrolyte stability.
- Achieved remarkable reversibility in aqueous Al batteries with Al-preintercalated MnO2 cathodes.
- Demonstrated a retained energy density of over 250 Wh kg-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 600 cycles.
Conclusions:
- Pyridine-3-carboxylic acid effectively enhances the stability of aqueous Al metal batteries by controlling solvation and surface energy.
- The developed hybrid electrolyte enables long-term, high-performance operation of aqueous Al batteries, paving the way for advanced energy storage solutions.
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