Abstract
The aluminum–air (or oxygen) battery has received intense attention in the past because of its excellent benefits such as low cost and high energy density, but due to the challenging issues such as hydrogen evolution and inactive oxide film formation on the Al surface, it could not be fully applied. In this study, 1-Ethyl 3-Methyl Imidazolium Chloride ([EmIm]Cl) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) are applied to resolve the aforementioned issues. Ex situ component-level and in situ cell-level open circuit voltage (OCV) tests combined with the physics-based model analyses were conducted to investigate the electrochemical reaction behaviors of the Al–air cell. Especially, the effect of aluminum oxide formation on the anode- and cathode-side reactions were analyzed in detail. The oxide film formed at the Al surface strongly was found to significantly impede the electrochemical reaction at the surface, and the film growth was controlled by decreasing the surface tension by aggressive anions. In the cathode side, the aluminum oxide precipitated in the porous cathode electrode was found to decrease the porous reaction area and block reactant access into the reaction sites. The effects of O2 solubility in the electrolyte, initial porosity and thickness of the porous electrode are compared in detailed, and optimal thickness is suggested.
Highlights
The demand for batteries to store and release electrical energy keeps increasing as electronic devices become widespread and fossil-based systems are replaced by electricity-based systems
It is necessary to understand the physics underlying the electrochemical reactions at electrode interfaces, including the formation/ breakdown mechanism of the inert oxide film formed on the Al electrode surface, and the effect of precipitation of Al2 O3 on the cathode surface in the porous electrode, in order to define key parameters controlling the performance of the Al–air battery
A side reaction and oxidebattery film formation investigate the challenging issues such as 2 evolution as a side reaction and oxide film formation on the surface of aluminum that hinder the practical application of these batteries
Summary
The demand for batteries to store and release electrical energy keeps increasing as electronic devices become widespread and fossil-based systems are replaced by electricity-based systems. Revel et al [7] reported the performance of an Al–air battery including relatively inexpensive and commercially available 1-Ethyl, 3-Methyl Imidazolium chloride ([EmIm]Cl) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3 ) They controlled the acidity of ionic liquid by changing the ratio of [EmIm]Cl and AlCl3 , and its effects on the conductivity of the ionic liquid and the corrosion rate of Al metal were investigated. It is necessary to understand the physics underlying the electrochemical reactions at electrode interfaces, including the formation/ breakdown mechanism of the inert oxide film formed on the Al electrode surface, and the effect of precipitation of Al2 O3 on the cathode surface in the porous electrode, in order to define key parameters controlling the performance of the Al–air battery. A one-dimensional micro–macro homogeneous mathematical model, which incorporates the properties of Al-surface morphology in the anode and the physics associated with Al2 O3 precipitation in the cathode porous electrode, was developed to predict the cell performance and define the key control parameters which provide guidance for cell developers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
