Electric vehicles (EVs) and green energy sources rely heavily on batteries to store electricity. Today, more than 75% of the world’s energy storage relies on batteries containing lithium, an expensive mineral that is subject to volatile pricing. The lithium-ion (lithium-ion) battery itself is volatile as it uses a flammable electrolyte that can ignite when overcharged.
Currently, a Beijing-based group of scientists believes that aluminum will provide a better solution. Aluminum is the third most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, and costs about a quarter of its cost as much as lithium. And when properly constructed, an aluminum-based battery could offer a longer lifespan than a volatile life and a safer and sustainable design. The group, led by scientists from Beijing University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology, has found a way to stabilize aluminum batteries, which can last much longer.
Aluminum ion (AL-ION) batteries have been the subject of research for many years. However, previous attempts have generally used ionic liquid electrolytes, which can lead to anode corrosion, particularly in high humidity conditions. Other researchers use gel polymer electrolytes that are somewhere between liquid and solid alternatives, which tend to have lower conductivity. The team of researchers took a different approach and added a pinch of salt.– Slightly Inert Aluminum Fluoride Salt–For liquid electrolytes containing aluminum ions,create Solid electrolyte.
Well, it’s really more than salt. salt It has a porous 3D structure that can act like a rigid sponge that absorbs and stabilizes liquids, but ions can move more freely. This improves the conductivity of the material, resulting in a leak-proof solid composite material. The researchers also coated the electrodes with a thin layer of material that helps prevent the formation of aluminum crystals.
“Our research shows that stable, recyclable solid electrolytes improve aluminum-ion batteries by solving problems such as corrosion, safety, and long-cycle lifetime, and potential alternatives to lithium-based batteries. It shows that this is going to happen,” says Shuqiang Jiao. Professor of electrochemical engineering at Beijing University of Science and Technology.
The advantages of aluminum
Researchers’ testing demonstrated that the resulting battery design could have a very long life, with the battery retaining 99% of its original capacity after 10,000 charges/discharge cycles. In contrast, a typical Li-ion battery will only retain 80% of the charge capacity after 300-500 cycles, depending on the conditions.
Solid electrolytes are safer than typical Li-Inion designs using liquid electrolytes. Because traditional batteries with liquid electrolytes can be leak-free, researchers’ AL-ion batteries remained fully functional when damaged by repeated punctures. The battery was also tested at high temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius. The output voltage was roughly the same despite the heat, and the battery did not expand or deform excessively.
In addition to these performance benefits, AL-ion batteries are more recyclable than traditional Li-ion designs. Researchers have found that 80% of the salts of aluminum fluoride can easily recover from lab experiments, predicting that the level of recovery on an industrial scale will be much higher. Solid aluminum foil can also be reused after a simple surface cleaning. As a result, the entire design helps efficiently recycle components.
A better battery can have a major impact on many markets. “Innovations that increase battery life and reduce costs can transform multiple industries, from automobiles to home appliances to home security,” says Vice President of Research at market research firm Parks Associates. Jennifer Kent said. “For example, battery range is the biggest barrier to buying an EV, and 39% of people who don’t own or are not trying to buy an EV, or they need to frequently charge an EV or operate the range. They say it’s limited. “Inexpensive batteries provide a cost-effective way to store excess energy until needed, allowing them to use sustainable energy sources such as wind and the sun. It may play an important role in moving forward.
New battery structures should be easily manufactured on a commercial scale. However, researchers say that AL-ion batteries need to improve their energy density before they are ready for commercial applications. Still, this new approach offers the potential for batteries that are safer, cheaper, longer lasting, and more efficient and easier to recycle.
This story was updated on February 5th, 2025 and includes estimates from Shuqjiang Jiao.
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