Investigation of a Novel Electrolyte for the Aluminum Trivalent System

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are a promising option for future lithium-ion batteries replacement due to aluminum’s high theoretical volumetric capacity, abundance and safety. To achieve the highest energy density, Al metal anodes must be used which makes aqueous systems challenging due to passivation and hydrogen generation and therefore nonaqueous systems are favored. Ionic liquids and ionic liquid analogs have emerged as potential electrolytes for this system due to their tunability to have large electrochemical windows, low volatility, as well as high capacity and cyclability. To create a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the trivalent electrolytes in aluminum batteries, this work investigates the reaction mechanisms of a newly developed Al electrolyte.