Solid-state batteries based on aluminum ions have been developed in the USA – large, cheap and environmentally friendly

Practice shows that the use of lithium batteries in the storage systems of a communal scale can be unsafe. The occurrence of a fire in such storage facilities is a relatively frequent phenomenon, which is later difficult to fight. But first of all, it is a very expensive pleasure, the payback of which is stretched for many years. For utility systems of energy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly solutions are needed, and they are.

Image source: ACS

Scientists Wei Wang, Shuqiang Jiao and their colleagues from the American Chemical Society (ACS) have developed what they say are safe and environmentally friendly aluminum ion batteries. More precisely, they improved aluminum-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte, creating a solid-state electrolyte and freeing promising batteries from its “childhood diseases”.

Previous developments of aluminum-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte were limited by two factors: the most common electrolyte-aluminum liquid chloride-corroded the aluminum anode and was very sensitive to moisture, which aggravated corrosion. With such features it was impossible to count on the long -term operation of this type of batteries.

The researchers added aluminum fluoride salts to the electrolyte. The electrolyte on this basis turned out to be porous, which contributed to the uniform movement of aluminum ions and also increased the conductivity of the electrolyte. Additionally, when the researchers created their aluminum ion battery, they used fluoroethylene carbonate as a binder to create a thin, hard coating on the electrodes that prevented aluminum crystals from forming, which would impair battery performance.

During the experiments, increased moisture resistance of the battery, as well as physical and temperature stability, was noted. Moreover, in a new version, the battery without ignition withstand multiple strokes with a sharp object. It was also not damaged when heated to 200 ℃. Finally, the battery demonstrated an exceptionally long service life, withstanding 10,000 charging cycles with a loss of less than 1 % of the initial capacity.

The solid electrolyte proposed for the aluminum ion battery can be washed and reused with little loss in performance. It’s a dream, not a battery, but it requires improvement to both increase cycles and capacity, the scientists add.

It is interesting to add that this research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Beijing Nova Program and the Interdisciplinary Young Faculty Research Project of Beijing University of Science and Technology.