Electrochemically Treated TiO2 for Enhanced Performance in Aqueous Al-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The potential for low cost, environmentally friendly and high rate energy storage has led to the study of anatase-TiO2 as an electrode material in aqueous Al3+ electrolytes. This paper describes the improved performance from an electrochemically treated composite TiO2 electrode for use in aqueous Al-ion batteries. After application of the cathodic electrochemical treatment in 1 mol/dm3 KOH, Mott–Schottky analysis showed the treated electrode as having an increased electron density and an altered open circuit potential, which remained stable throughout cycling. The cathodic treatment also resulted in a change in colour of TiO2. Treated-TiO2 demonstrated improved capacity, coulombic efficiency and stability when galvanostatically cycled in 1 mol·dm−3AlCl3/1 mol·dm−3 KCl. A treated-TiO2 electrode produced a capacity of 15.3 mA·h·g−1 with 99.95% coulombic efficiency at the high specific current of 10 A/g. Additionally, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to elucidate the origin of this improved performance.

Nanoarchitect and Defective Mesoporous RGO Nanoparticle-Integrated Ce/Ti Nanorod for Proficient Photocatalytic H2 Generation in Visible Light

“…So, the valence band potential ( E VB ) is 1.68 V. It is measured that the E fb of pure TiO 2 is −0.40 V (vs Ag/AgCl), which is shown in Figure S11. This result strongly agreed with that previously reported by Kim and Holland et al. , Hence, the E CB of TiO 2 is −0.40 V and E VB is 2.60 V because the band gap of TiO 2 is 3.00 eV (Figure b). The n–n junction of both CeO 2 and TiO 2 is represented in Scheme .…”

Recent Advances in Rechargeable Aluminum-Ion Batteries and Considerations for Their Future Progress

“…It is demonstrated that the inferior diffusion of Al 3+ ions within TiO 2 is due to the poor electronic conductivity of TiO 2 , which can be improved by the introduction of a small fraction of graphene . Furthermore, various synthesis methods have been studied, such as incorporation of CNT and electrochemical treatment. , For positive electrode materials used in aqueous RABs, metal oxide and carbon electrodes are mainly screened on the basis of the reported literature. Lahan et al demonstrated an effective approach for improving conductivity by adding graphene additive .…”

“…147 Furthermore, various synthesis methods have been studied, such as incorporation of CNT and electrochemical treatment. 148,149 For positive electrode materials used in aqueous RABs, metal oxide and carbon electrodes are mainly screened on the basis of the reported literature. Lahan et al demonstrated an effective approach for improving conductivity by adding graphene additive.…”

Beyond Lithium-Based Batteries

“…The most researched component for aluminum-ion batteries is the cathode. The research can be divided into six groups based on the type of material used for the cathode: metal oxides [127][128][129][130][131][132], metal sulfides [133][134][135][136][137], carbon [138,139], metal selenides [14,140] metal phosphides [141,142] and metal phosphite [143]. Here we highlight those works that focus on the function of the material.…”