Aluminum: The future of Battery Technology

Abstract

Due to the world turning away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy, electrical energy is becoming increasingly important. Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are promising contenders in the realm of electrochemical energy storage. While lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have long dominated the market with their high energy density and durability, sustainability concerns stem from the environmental impact of raw material extraction and manufacturing processes, and performance-related drawbacks include limited lifespan, safety hazards like thermal runaway, and challenges in recycling. AIBs stand out for their superior sustainability and theoretical capacity, powered by the usage of trivalent aluminum ions (Al³⁺), due to a higher abundance in Earth’s crust and a well-established recycling infrastructure. Despite the advantages of AIBs in sustainability and theoretical capacity, their widespread commercial use has been hindered by certain electrochemical limitations, such as challenges in achieving competitive energy density and addressing issues related to the efficient cycling of trivalent aluminum ions. This paper delves into the merits of AIBs, exploring their potential to surpass LIBs and serve as the leading battery technology of the future.