Researchers develop aluminum-ion batteries with improved storage capacity

Energy storage Researchers develop aluminum-ion batteries with improved storage capacity

2023-06-13 Source: Universität Freiburg 1 min Reading Time

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How can batteries become simpler in development and disposal, while also becoming more efficient in energy management? A team of researchers has now made initial progress.

The energy storage systems of the future need to be advanced and affordable.(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay) — The energy storage systems of the future need to be advanced and affordable.
(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay)

Scientists have developed electrode material from an organic redox polymer for aluminum-ion batteries. According to a statement from the University of Freiburg, this improves the storage capacities, enabling the batteries to even surpass energy storage systems with graphite as electrode material.

In an experiment, the aluminum batteries with the new electrode material stored an unprecedented charge of 167 milliampere-hours per gram, according to the researchers. For aluminum batteries using graphite as electrode material, the value is 120 milliampere-hours per gram. After 5,000 charging cycles, the battery presented by the research team still had 88 percent of its capacity at a charge and discharge rate of six minutes. With a longer charging and discharging time, the battery returns unchanged to its original capacities.

Development is at an early stage

Aluminum-ion batteries are considered a promising alternative to conventional batteries that use scarce resources like lithium. Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust, is easier to recycle, and is furthermore safer and more cost-effective than lithium. However, the development of such aluminum-ion batteries is still in its infancy, as there is currently a lack of suitable electrode materials.

The results of the research have been published in the journal "Energy & Environmental Science".

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