On the basis of low-cost, rich resources, and safety performance, aluminum-ion batteries have been regarded as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage batteries in large-scale energy applications. A rechargeable aluminum-ion battery has been fabricated based on a 3D hierarchical copper sulfide (CuS) microsphere composed of nanoflakes as cathode material and room-temperature ionic liquid containing AlCl and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIm]Cl) as electrolyte. The aluminum-ion battery with a microsphere electrode exhibits a high average discharge voltage of ∼1.0 V vs Al/AlCl, reversible specific capacity of about 90 mA h g at 20 mA g, and good cyclability of nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles. Such remarkable electrochemical performance is attributed to the well-defined nanostructure of the cathode material facilitating the electron and ion transfer, especially for chloroaluminate ions with large size, which is desirable for aluminum-ion battery applications.

A novel method to create 3D origami structures was developed using frontal photopolymerization with grayscale light.

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are regarded as promising candidates for post-lithium energy storage systems (ESSs). For addressing the critical issues in the current liquid AIB systems, here a flexible solid-state AIB is established using a gel-polymer electrolyte for achieving robust electrodeelectrolyte interfaces. Different from utilization of solid-state systems for alleviating the safety issues and enhancing energy density in lithium-ion batteries, employment of polymeric electrolytes mainly focuses on addressing the essential problems in the liquid AIBs, including unstable internal interfaces induced by mechanical deformation and production of gases as well as unfavorable separators. Particularly, such gel electrolyte enables the solid-state AIBs to present an ultra-fast charge capability within 10 s at current density of 600 mA g −1 . Meanwhile, an impressive specific capacity ≈120 mA h g −1 is obtained at current density of 60 mA g −1 , approaching the theoretical limit of graphite-based AIBs. In addition to the well-retained electrochemical performance below the ice point, the solid-state AIBs also hold great stability and safety under various critical conditions. The results suggest that such new prototype of solid-state AIBs with robust electrode-electrolyte interfaces promises a novel strategy for fabricating stable and safe flexible ESSs.

A novel cell configuration allows a Te nanowire positive electrode for delivering an ultrahigh discharge capacity in tellurium–aluminum batteries.

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