Al-air Battery Research Articles

A fluoropolymer bifunctional solid membrane interface for improving the discharge duration in aqueous Al-air batteries.

Herein, a fluoropolymer bifunctional solid membrane interface (SMI) for an aqueous Al-air battery is proposed, which inhibits anodic self-corrosion, while concurrently reducing the accumulation of undesirable by-products. A battery using the SMI exhibits a remarkable anticorrosion efficiency of 81.31% and achieves an astonishing battery lifetime improvement rate of 184.37% under the condition of 5 min intermittent discharge.

Waste to wealth: atomically dispersed cobalt-nitrogen-carbon from spent LiCoO2.

Atomic cobalt-nitrogen-carbon (Co-NC) material was synthesized using spent LiCoO2, and contained a heavy Co-N4 loading (1.42 at%). The synthesized Co-NC exhibited high oxygen reduction reaction activity (with onset and half-wave potentials of 0.97 V and 0.87 V, respectively) and robust Al-air battery performance, delivering a specific power of 121.3 mW cm-2.

Regulating solvation and interface chemistry enables advanced aluminum-air batteries.

The main challenge for developing aqueous aluminum-air batteries with high mass-specific capacity depends on the inhibition of the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, a regulation strategy of solvation and interface chemistry has been proposed by introducing organic methylurea (MU) and inorganic stannous chloride (SnCl2) to the alkaline electrolyte, which can modulate the solvent structure and electrode/electrolyte interface and endow the aqueous aluminum-air battery with an outstanding mass-specific capacity of 2625 mA h g-1 at 50 mA cm-2.

High performance aluminum-air battery for sustainable power generation

Metal-air battery is receiving vast attention due to its promising capabilities as an energy storage system for the post lithium-ion era. The electricity is generated through oxidation and reduction reaction within the anode and cathode. Among various types of metal-air battery, aluminum-air battery is the most attractive candidate due to its high energy density and environmentally friendly. In this study, a novel polypropylene-based dual electrolyte aluminum-air battery is developed. Polypropylene pads are used as a medium to absorb the electrolyte, isolate the anode and cathode, control the hydrogen generation in the parasitic reaction. Potassium hydroxide is used as anolyte and sulfuric acid is used as catholyte. Parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of electrolyte concentration and polypropylene separator thickness on the performance of the battery. The results show that the dual-electrolyte system can boost the open circuit voltage to 2.2 V as compared to the single electrolyte system for 5 M of anolyte while maintaining specific discharge capacity of about 1390.92 mAh.g−1. The maximum peak power density has improved dramatically from 100 mW.cm−2 to 350 mW cm−2 for the dual electrolyte system.

Preparation of perovskite-type La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3 by template method and catalytic performance in aluminum-air battery

A series of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) perovskite-type composite oxides were prepared by the template method using carbon microspheres as template. Among them, La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.8Co0.2O3 has excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity, and its oxygen reduction process is a four-electron reaction pathway. Its initial potential is closest to that of commercial Pt/C, with a difference of only 60 mV. The limit current density is basically consistent with that of commercial Pt/C. When it is used as cathode catalyst of aluminum-air battery, the discharge voltage of aluminum-air battery can remain stable under different current density, which is higher than that of undoped LaMnO3.

Techno-economically feasible beverage can as superior anode in rechargeable Al-air batteries

Porous Fe nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe-NC) with a polyhedron structure, derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF8), was synthesized as an efficient electrocatalyst in Al-air batteries, complemented by a low-cost aluminium anode based on beverage cans. The highly-loaded porous Fe-NC demonstrated efficient catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This was linked to the good conductivity and the large surface area originating from the observed 3D porous architecture. The RDE test confirmed that the favourable 4-electron pathway for porous Fe-NC was higher than that of the 20 wt% Pt/carbon. Besides the high ORR activity, the Al-air battery demonstrated a maximum power density of 46 mW/cm2 at a current density of 80 mA/cm2. The galvanostatic discharge studies showed a stable voltage discharge plateau (>1.1 V) for current densities between 5 and 20 mA/cm2. The Al-air battery with porous Fe/NC catalyst exhibited a remarkably increased discharge capacity of 1920 mAh/g for the pure Al foil and 1173 mAh/g for the commercial Al can foil at a current density of 20 mA/cm2. The finding indicates that both anode and cathode in this work are techno-economically feasible materials. In addition, the Al-air battery showed large charge-discharge cycles (i.e., 180 cycles, 31 h) at 10 mA/cm2 with a low voltage gap using a beverage can.

Experimental Investigation on Various Aluminium Composite Material for Aluminium-Air batteries

The loftiest energy-putting away advancements looked by experimenters are metal-air batteries. Among them, aluminium is a plentiful and enticing anode material for energy capacity and change, as a result of its high unambiguous limit. The hypothetical explicit energy of a promoted lithium-particle battery is 120-200 Wh/kg. The aluminium-air battery has the second biggest limit, coming behind the Lithium-air battery, which is the most grounded auxiliary battery. Three unique kinds of aluminium accessories will be utilized for anode AA5083, certified with multiwall carbon nano tubes, to decrease cell impedance and disintegration. The electrolyte will be KOH. The cathode will be a carbon or graphite plate. An aluminium-air battery has been accessible on demand as an essential battery. To be created as an optional battery, every cell of the battery is compared to anode and cathodes.

Enhanced electrical conductivity and stretchability of ionic-liquid PEDOT:PSS air-cathodes for aluminium-air batteries with long lifetime and high specific energy

A hydrogel film, poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT):polystyrenesulfonate (PSS), containing an ionic liquid, is used as an air–cathode for a metal-air battery and its performance is investigated. This work presents the development of the air–cathode and the characterization of its physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Moreover, in view of wearable batteries, these air-cathodes are implemented within a flexible aluminium-air battery. It contains an aluminium anode, an electrolyte made of cellulose paper imbibed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and the PEDOT:PSS air–cathode. Characterisation tests showed that the ionic liquid did not change the air–cathode chemically, while the electric conductivity increased considerably. The anode has an acceptable purity and was found to be resistant against self-corrosion. Discharge tests showed operating voltages up to 0.65 V, whereas two batteries in series could deliver up to 1.3 V at a current density of 0.9 mA cm−2 for almost a day, sufficient for monitoring and medical devices. Several discharge tests with current densities from 0.25 up to 2.5 mA cm−2 have presented operating lifetimes from 10 h up until over a day. At a current density of 2.8 mA cm−2, the operating voltage and lifetime dropped considerably, explained by approaching the limiting current density of about 3 mA cm−2, as evidenced by linear sweep voltammetry. The batteries showed high specific energies up to about 3140 Wh kg−1. Mechanical tests revealed a sufficient stretchability of the air–cathode, even after battery discharge, implying an acceptable degree of wearability. Together with the reusability of the air–cathode, the battery is a promising route towards a low-cost viable way for wearable power supply for monitoring medical devices with long lifetimes and high specific energies. Optimization of the air–cathode could even lead to higher power applications.

Modulation of poly (acrylic acid) hydrogels with κ-carrageenan for high-performance quasi-solid Al-air batteries

Primary quasi-solid Al-air batteries using hydrogels have attracted increasing research attention owing to their high energy density, good handling, safety and reliability. However, it is still difficult to develop hydrogel electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and water retention owing to limited capacity of single material hydrogels. Herein, we report a hydrogel electrolyte of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) is modified by κ-carrageenan (KC) for solid-state Al-air batteries. The result suggests that the hydrogels not only exhibit outstanding water retention but also high ionic conductivity, which is attributed to the amorphous phase and hydrophilic group of the KC. Additionally, the lifespan of solid-state Al-air battery is extended at a current density of 5 mA cm−2 owing to adding KC. Further, the lifetime of open Al-air batteries is improved by self-corrosion inhibition of Al anode.

Improving the performance of primary aluminum-air batteries through suppressing water activity by hydrogen bond-rich glycerol solvent additive

In this work, glycerol is introduced as a low-cost and eco-friendly electrolyte additive for primary aluminum-air (Al-air) battery. Glycerol molecules form hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) with water (H2O) molecules to reconstruct hydrogen bond network in the electrolyte, leading to a reduction in the H2O activity. Accordingly, the hydrogen evolution potential of electrolyte is expanded, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and self-corrosion of Al anodes are suppressed. As a result, the capacity density, and energy density of Al-air battery are increased significantly in the presence of glycerol. With the glycerol content of 20% in 4 M NaOH electrolyte, the capacity density of Al-air battery exhibits a value of 2564 mAh g − 1, which is 2.3 times higher than in 4 M NaOH electrolyte.

The Electrochemical Performance of Al-Mg-Ga-Sn-xBi Alloy Used as the Anodic Material for Al-Air Battery in KOH Electrolytes

The effects of Bi content (0–0.12 wt.%) on the self-corrosion properties, the open-circuit potential, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the potentiodynamic polarization curves, and the battery performances of Al-0.4Mg-0.05Sn-0.015Ga alloys were investigated; meanwhile, the microstructures and the post-discharge surfaces of the alloy were also examined by SEM. The results show that Bi can increase the amount of the precipitated phase containing Bi. The Al-0.4Mg-0.05Sn-0.015Ga-0.10Bi alloy exhibits the optimum electrochemical properties; it has the greatest negative open circuit potential of −1.780 V, the highest constant current discharge voltage of 1.287 V, and a minimum self-corrosion rate of 0.132 mL cm−2 min−1; a uniform corrosive surface is obtained after discharge.

Rational design of boron-nitrogen coordinated active sites towards oxygen reduction reaction in aluminum-air batteries with robust integrated air cathode

Rational design of cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential for developing metal-air batteries. In this work, we propose a pre-self-assembled strategy to prepare controllable B–N coordinated active sites anchored on carbon supports as an efficient electrocatalyst for ORR. The precisely coordinated B–N coordination from the pre-self-assembled boronate-amino ligands are sealed on the in-situ formed carbon dots (CDs) for preservation and further converted into B–N coordinated active sites on the carbon support. The B–N coordinated active sites anchored on the graphene aerogel (denoted as B–N-G) exhibit Pt/C competitive ORR catalytic activity in both alkaline and neutral media, which are attributed to the high content of efficient B–N coordinated active sites with expanded lattice spacing. The operando Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations explain the catalytic mechanism and identify the active sites of the B–N coordination. Furthermore, the B–N-G is directly processed into an integrated air cathode, and the Al-air batteries with the B–N-G integrated air cathode exhibit superior discharge performance and good stability in both NaOH and NaCl electrolytes. This study demonstrates a feasible pre-self-assembled approach to achieve designed B–N coordination in carbon-based electrocatalysts for metal-air batteries.

Waste Lithium Ion Battery Evolves into Heteroatom Doped Carbon as Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst for Aqueous Al-Air Batteries.

Carbon based electrocatalysts prepared by recycling waste power batteries can not only realize the new utilization of waste energy materials, but also obtain cheap and efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst for metal-air battery. Based on the cathode carbon of waste LiFePO4 batteries, nitrogen doped carbon based catalyst NC-1000 is prepared by simple pyrolysis, acid dissolution of LiFePO4 and high temperature heteroatom doping. The catalyst is characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and Raman spectrum, and the electrochemical performances of the catalyst and Al-air battery were tested. The results show that carbon based electrocatalyst NC-1000 is rich in structural defects and embedded with trace metal oxides. Compared with commercial 20 wt% Pt/C, it has higher electrocatalytic activity and faster kinetic with a half-wave potential of 0.828 V vs. RHE and the Tafel slope of 70.7 mV dec-1 . In addition, assembled into Al-air battery, the open circuit potential can reach 1.57 V along with the high power density of 141 mW cm-2 at 200 mA cm-2 . The discharge specific capacity at higher current of up to 100 mA cm-2 is even better than the commercial Pt/C. This study can not only improve the economic value of waste power batteries, but also obtain high-performance ORR electrocatalyst, which will greatly promote the commercial development of Al-air batteries.

Engineering of the A-site deficiency in La0.4Sr0.6Co0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3-δ perovskites for enhanced elelctrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

• Series of (La 0.4 Sr 0.6 ) 1-x Co 0.7 Fe 0.2 Nb 0.1 O 3-δ (LSCFN) perovskites developed. • A-site deficiency enhances electrocatalytic activity for ORR in alkaline solutions. • LSCFN-0.90 with the highest density of vacant A-sites is a much better ORR catalyst. • Used as cathode in aluminum-air batteries. The development of efficient non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) can aid the commercialization of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Here, we developed a series of La 0.4 Sr 0.6 Co 0.7 Fe 0.2 Nb 0.1 O 3-δ (LSCFN) perovskites by engineering A-site deficiency to enhance their electrocatalytic activity for ORR in alkaline solutions. We found that LSCFN-0.90 with the highest amount of vacant A-sites has a highly oxidative oxygen species (O 2 2− /O − ) and an appropriate Co oxidation state - is a much better ORR catalyst in alkaline solutions compared to those with less vacant A-sites. The enhanced ORR kinetics enabled their use as the cathode catalyst in aluminum-air batteries, which also revealed better electrochemical performances for the catalyst with the highest A-site deficiency. Overall, the results demonstrate that an appropriate A-site cation deficiency in perovskites can enhance the ORR electrocatalytic activity.

Preface

The 2022 International Conference on Power System and Energy Technology (ICPSET 2022) was successfully held in Guangzhou, China on August 12-14, 2022. ICPSET 2022 provided a learning and exchange platform for experts, scholars and engineering technicians in related fields to share scientific research achievements, explore cutting-edge technologies and expand research ideas, so as to promote the development of relevant fields.In the conference, we had the honor of having invited both Prof. Fushuan Wen from Zhejiang University, China and Prof. Li Niu from Guangzhou University, China to serve as our Conference General Chairs. The conference covered keynote speeches and oral presentations, attracting 90 individuals and institutions worldwide. Primarily, keynote speakers were each allocated 30-45 minutes to hold their speeches. Then in the oral presentations, the excellent papers we had selected were presented by their authors by turns.We were delighted and honored to invite two prominent professors as keynote speakers to deliver their speeches. For a start, Assoc. Prof. Cheng Li from Changchun Institute of Technology, China performed a thought-provoking speech: Research on Operating State Sensing Technology of Insulators in Transmission and Distribution Lines Based on Linear Variable Spectroscopy. The study used microwave plasma-assisted pulse sputtering to prepare high linearity graded spectroscopic filters, developed a multi-channel contamination collection device with resistance to strong electric field interference, and changed the traditional narrow wavelength range single target detection method through hyperspectral spectroscopy technology of graded filter films, realizing the detection of electrified pollution of the insulation part of power equipment and the troubleshooting of hidden troubles. And then, Assoc. Prof. Bernard Saw Lip Huat from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman made a report on Aluminum-air Battery: A Green Technology for Sustainable Power Generation Via Circular Economy Approach. In this presentation, the architecture of the aluminum-air battery, factors affecting the aluminum-air battery performance, and challenges of the aluminum-air battery were presented. The wonderful speeches of each keynote speaker had triggered heated discussion. Besides, every participant praised this conference for disseminating useful and insightful knowledge.The proceedings of ICPSET 2022 are a compilation of the accepted papers and represent an interesting outcome of the conference. These papers feature but are not limited to the following topics: Distribution Automation, Power System Technology, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, etc. All the papers have been checked through rigorous review and processes to meet the requirements of publication.We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of those who supported ICPSET 2022. In particular, we would like to thank the Journal of Physics: Conference Series, for the endeavor of all the colleagues in publishing this paper volume. The help and contribution of each individual and institution was instrumental in the success of the conference and with the strong support, we are sure ICPSET 20222 has been beneficial to all the attendees.The Committee of ICPSET 20222List of Committee member is available in this pdf.

Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Crystal Orientation Effect of the Anode on the Aluminum-Air Battery Performance

The electrochemical characteristics of aluminum (Al) anodes in Al-air battery according to crystal orientation were theoretically and experimentally evaluated to analyze this phenomenon in detail. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on the open-circuit potential of the aluminum (111) plane and (100) plane in an alkaline solution. The theoretical values were obtained by DFT calculations when considering the surrounding environment and single-electron transfer. The open-circuit potentials calculated by DFT were similar to the measured potentials. These results indicate that the difference between the potential predicted by bulk thermodynamics and the potential obtained from the stepwise mechanism is related to the free energy asymmetry of the intermediate in the multi-electron transfer reaction and the chemical stabilization of the surrounding environment during the product formation. The crystal orientation affects the performance of Al-air battery by the above effects. Al (100) showed the highest output power depending on the orientation effect in the discharge test result and the I-P curve.

Effect of Cold-Working on the Discharge Performance of Commercially Pure Aluminum and AA7050 Alloy Anodes in Primary Alkaline Aluminum-air Battery

This work evaluated the performance of annealed and cold-worked commercially pure Aluminum (AA1100) and AA7050 Aluminum alloy as the Aluminum-air battery (Al-air battery) anode in a 4 mol.l−1 KOH solution. The electrochemical performance, galvanostatic discharge behavior, and microstructure of the anodes after discharge were studied. Cold-worked anodes showed a more negative corrosion potential and a lower corrosion current density compared to annealed anodes, indicating a higher electrochemical activity and an enhanced anti-corrosion behavior. In addition, the anodic efficiency and capacity density of the cold-worked anodes increased significantly compared to the annealed anode by increasing the discharge current density from 20 mA.cm−2 to 100 mA.cm−2. The results of this work indicated that cold-worked pure Al and AA7050 Al alloy has better potential as anode materials in alkaline Al-air batteries than the annealed Al anode.

Simultaneous regulation on electrolyte structure and electrode interface with glucose additive for high-energy aluminum metal-air batteries

Aqueous metal-based batteries have attracted great attention due to their high energy density and high safety. However, currently suppressing the severe parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the metal anodes in aqueous electrolytes remains challenging. Here, a novel “two birds with one stone” strategy of simultaneously reducing water activity and constructing a protective layer on Al anode with a green and low-cost glucose additive is proposed to suppress the HER. Theoretical studies and experimental characterizations confirm that the glucose additive could reduce water activity via the “molecular crowding effect” and form an organic protective layer on Al metal via chemical adsorption. The dual-functional glucose additive exhibits significant suppression on the HER and self-discharge of Al-metal anodes, which endows a flow-based Al-air battery with ultra-high specific capacity of 2886.7 mAh g Al −1 and energy density of 3675.1 Wh kg Al −1 . This study not only blazes a new path for suppressing HER on Al-metal anodes but also casts new light on aqueous electrolyte design and the stabilization of metal anodes.

Porous silica derived from sago waste and its application for the preparation of SiO2/C composites as air cathodes for primary aluminum-air batteries

Porous silica derived from sago waste and its application for the preparation of SiO2/C composites as air cathodes for primary aluminum-air batteries

A Polyurethane Organic Framework for Flexible Al–Air Batteries

Flexible Al–air batteries with hydrogels are regarded as a promising power source owing to their high specific capacity, their high ionic conductivity, and having no leakage. However, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels remain unresolved. Here, we present a polyurethane organic framework (POF) employing a polyurethane skeleton as an internal support for poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogel, where the POF can exhibit high strength and toughness, and an Al–air battery using the POF can output good electrochemical properties. The results demonstrate that the tensile stress of 30 ppi POF is 49.5 kPa owing to the stress-transfer mechanism, while that of PAA is only 3.1 kPa. Compared to that of the PAA hydrogel, the discharging capacity of Al–air batteries with 20 ppi POF can be increased by 79 mAh cm–2 at a current density of 1 mA cm–2, which can be attributed to corrosion inhibition and the surface roughness change of the POF during the discharging process. This work will deliver a selectable strategy for a trade-off between mechanical and electrochemical properties.