Rechargeable Al‐Chalcogen Batteries: Status, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) are considered to be alternatives to meet the increasing demands for energy storage due to their high theoretical capacity, low cost, high safety, and the rich abundance of aluminum. Chalcogen materials (sulfur, selenium, and tellurium (SSTs)) with high theoretical capacities are deemed to be promising cathode materials in AIBs. However, the challenges including sluggish reaction kinetics and inferior cycling stability in Al‐SSTs batteries still remain. In order to realize the advantages and overcome the drawbacks of SSTs electrodes, several strategies have been attempted. In this perspective, the approaches in terms of SSTs cathodes, electrolytes, separators, and Al metal anodes to improve the electrochemical performance of Al‐SSTs batteries are summarized and elaborated. The electrochemistry of Al‐SSTs batteries, involving different valence states of the electrochemical products is also presented and highlighted. The issues to be solved for practical applications are listed and possible future directions for the development of more reliable Al‐SSTs batteries are discussed.

Design Strategies of High‐Performance Positive Materials for Nonaqueous Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries: From Crystal Control to Battery Configuration

“…The conversion-type materials mainly include transition metal oxides, chalcogen materials (S/Se/Te), and chalcogenides. [36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Actually, in addition to intercalation/ deintercalation reaction and conversion reaction, the reversible adsorption/desorption process of active species commonly takes place in the micro-and mesopores of active materials that are mostly porous with large specific surface areas. [43][44][45] The adsorption/desorption process is usually coupled with the intercalation/deintercalation reaction and conversion reaction, which will greatly improve the specific capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability.…”

Atomically Dispersed Iron Active Sites Promoting Reversible Redox Kinetics and Suppressing Shuttle Effect in Aluminum–Sulfur Batteries

“…Aluminum as the most abundant metal element in the crust can couple with sulfur to fabricate rechargeable aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries, in which both aluminum and sulfur are cheap and environmentally friendly materials with good air stability and safety. More importantly, both Al and S electrodes have high theoretical specific capacities of 2976 and 1672 mAh g −1 , respectively [5][6][7]. A rechargeable Al-S battery can deliver a theoretical cell capacity of 1072 mAh g −1 based on total electrode mass and operate at a voltage of 1.25 V, resulting in a theoretical energy density of 1340 Wh kg −1 [8].…”

Heterocyclic Conjugated Polymer Nanoarchitectonics with Synergistic Redox‐Active Sites for High‐Performance Aluminium Organic Batteries

“…[11] Regarding transition metal-chalcogen compounds, although they are reported with higher capacities than carbons, the materials suffer from capacity fading caused by irreversible phase transfer and even destruction of the original lattice during Al 3 + intercalation. [12] Therefore, the lack of suitable cathode materials with high capacity, good cycling stability and reversible transport of aluminium carrier ions (i.e. AlCl 4 À , AlCl 2 + or AlCl 2 (urea) 2…”