Anhydrous salts for non-corrosive aluminium battery electrolytes

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

• Commercial aluminium triflate and aluminium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts are typically hydrates.
• Hydrated salts in electrolytes lead to electrode passivation via aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3) formation.
• Electrode passivation limits the electrochemical activity and performance of aluminium-based energy storage devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop anhydrous aluminium salts for electrolytes.
• To enhance the electrochemical activity of aluminium-based electrolytes.
• To overcome limitations in aluminium battery development caused by hydrated salts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized acid-base reactions to synthesize anhydrous aluminium triflate and aluminium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts.
• Prepared electrolytes using the synthesized anhydrous salts.
• Evaluated the electrochemical activity of the anhydrous electrolytes.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced anhydrous aluminium triflate and aluminium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts.
• Anhydrous electrolytes demonstrated significantly enhanced electrochemical activity compared to hydrated counterparts.
• Elimination of water prevented electrode passivation, indicated by the absence of Al(OH)3 formation.

Conclusions:

• Anhydrous aluminium salts are crucial for high-performance aluminium electrolytes.
• The developed anhydrous electrolytes pave the way for advanced aluminium battery development.
• This work offers a viable strategy to improve the efficiency and longevity of aluminium-based batteries.