Aluminum-Ion Batteries: The Next Big Thing in Energy Storage?
Researchers in Ulm are exploring aluminum-ion batteries, which hold promise for cheaper, longer-lasting energy storage. Despite challenges, these batteries could revolutionize electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
Aluminum-ion batteries use aluminum (Al3+) as the main ion carrier, which can transfer three electrons per ion, potentially boosting capacity. The anode is a thin aluminum foil, and the electrolyte often a mix of aluminum chloride and an organic chloride salt. The cathode can be carbon/graphite, metal oxides, or graphene.
Researchers at the POLiS group in Ulm are studying these batteries. They've achieved 5,000 charge/discharge cycles with 88% remaining capacity in lab conditions. However, practical use for vehicle drives is still a challenge due to electrolyte stability and material problems on the cathode side.
Aluminum is cheap and abundant, but the cell price isn't determined by the anode metal alone. Electrolyte, processing, safety, and quality also play significant roles. Current lab cells achieve around 300 to 350 Wh/kg, compared to lithium-ion's 700 Wh/kg.
Social media rumors claim aluminum-ion batteries can deliver a range of 1,500 km, 15,000 charge cycles, and insensitivity to cold. However, in practice, Al3+ is strongly solvated, slowing down diffusion into electrodes and limiting performance. They also deliver lower cell voltages than lithium-ion, making the theoretical density advantage largely lost.
Aluminum-ion batteries show potential for cheaper, longer-lasting energy storage. Despite challenges like electrolyte stability and practical performance, they could still revolutionize electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Further research is needed to overcome these hurdles and make aluminum-ion batteries a viable alternative to current technologies.
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