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Jan 07

Aluminium-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) rechargeable battery with ionic liquid electrolyte

Aluminium-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) rechargeable battery with ionic liquid electrolyte

TheresaSchoetzaBenCraigaCarlosPonce de LeonaAndreasBundbMikitoUedacChee Tong JohnLowd

a
Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton,
b
Electrochemistry and Electroplating Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany
c
Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
d
Warwick Electrochemical Engineering Group, WMG, Energy Innovation Centre, University of Warwick,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2019.101176

Available online 7 January 2020

Journal of Energy Storage

Volume 28, April 2020, 101176
Journal of Energy Storage

Highlights

Demonstration of an alternative aluminium battery with 3D conductive polymer cathode.

Use of highly stable 3D conductive polymer cathodes in chloroaluminate ionic liquid.

Efficient coulombic efficiency of over 95%.

Comparable specific energy and power to other non-aqueous aluminium batteries: 50–64 Wh kg−1 and 32–40 W kg−1.

High charge rates up to 80C.

Abstract

Aluminium is one of the promising negative electrode materials for modern batteries. It is environmentally abundant, affordable and recyclable, and its three-electron redox reaction offers high theoretical specific energy and power. However, the development of a suitable positive electrode continues to limit the practical performance of aluminium batteries. In this study, the application of a 3D conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a potential positive electrode material is reported. The battery performance, C-rate versus capacity extraction and successive charge/discharge cycling of a full cell (aluminium (-); PEDOT (+); EMImCl-AlCl3 ionic liquid electrolyte) is investigated. The design of the PEDOT electrode (using 3D reticulated vitreous carbon as substrate) is studied, and is supported by microstructure characterisation. The aluminium-PEDOT battery provides 50–64 Wh kg−1 specific energy and 32–40 W kg−1 specific power. The battery has a coulombic efficiency >95%, stable operation over 100 cycles and charge rates up to 80C. In summary, direct and meaningful progress has been made towards achieving useful capacity and cycling stability from aluminium batteries intended for future energy storage.

Graphical abstract

Schematic illustration of the charging and discharging reaction of an aluminium-PEDOT battery with imidazolium-based chloroaluminate EMImCl-AlCl3 ionic liquid.

Image, graphical abstract

Keywords

3D electrode
Aluminium battery
Conductive polymer
Ionic liquid electrolyte
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)