Novel Al-battery technology for sustainable energy storage

Research Project, 2017 – 2020

More efficient electrochemical energy storage (EES) options are needed for improved large-scale storage of renewable energy from solar, wind, etc. The omnipresent Li-ion battery technology has severe limitations hindering any large-scale EES implementation why battery researchers must envisage alternative concepts. Here we propose novel Al-batteries for large-scale EES. Al is abundant, cheap, and has many other fundamental promises compared to competing battery concepts. The two main obstacles to overcome are based in the materials needed: i) electrolytes free from Cl- and capable of fast cationic Al3+ transport, and ii) cathodes accommodating the 3 e-/Al3+ – issues here addressed together with an anode designed to allow faster charge/discharge rates. All components needed for a functional Al-battery will be addressed from a basic science point of view, with the following main objectives: Develop an electrolyte Cl- free and with cationic Al3+ complex transport Create Al metal micro-structured anodes to increase surface area and current density, for higher charge/discharge rates Apply organic cathodes originally developed for Mg-batteries for multiple e--transfer Assembly of full Al-batteries and evaluate figures-of-merit for application as EES The project will mainly be performed by 2 postdocs and poses well defined basic science research questions, a very high degree of innovation in the concept, together with a clear future energy area application perspective – large scale EES