Dual electrolyte based aluminium air battery using NiCo2O4–MoSe2 hybrid nanocomposite

Abstract

In order to develop economical and environment-friendly metal-air batteries, herein, we report aluminium-air batteries (AABs) using low-cost commercially available aluminium (Al) sheets and waste from Al beverage canister as metal anodes and MoSe2, NiCo2O4, and NiCo2O4–MoSe2 hybrid nanostructure as cathodes. The electrocatalytic activity of cathode materials have been examined using three-cell electrochemical configuration in 1 M KOH electrolyte, which shows best oxygen reduction behaviour of hybrid nanostructure attributed to large number of active sites, and synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 and MoSe2. The developed batteries utilize dual electrolyte (KOH-methanol and KOH-water) system to reduce the unwanted corrosion of Al anode and improve the electrocatalytic activity of cathode. Among designed AABs in the present work, AAB with Al canister as anode and NiCo2O4–MoSe2 hybrid nanostructure as cathode shows best performance like higher discharging potential of 1.05 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and higher specific capacity of 1304 mAh g−1. The assembled AABs with hybrid electrocatalyst show almost stable performance for more than 50 h by mechanically replacing the Al anode, once consumed.