Reversible Insertion of [AlCl4 ]- Superhalides in Graphite

ChemSusChem. 2024 Mar 8;17(5):e202301109. doi: 10.1002/cssc.202301109. Epub 2023 Nov 16.

Abstract

Graphite-based dual-ion batteries are with potential higher energy density, making them a unique candidate in energy storage systems. However, anion insertion into graphite in aqueous environment remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report that the reversible insertion of Al-Cl superhalide into expanded graphite (EG) delivers an ultrahigh specific capacity of ~171 mAh g-1 from an aqueous deep eutectic solvent (DES) gel electrolyte of 50 m ChCl+5 m AlCl3 . High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) show that the EG generates turbostratic structure during Al-Cl superhalide (de)insertion instead of presenting typical graphite intercalation compounds (GIC), thus attributing to the high capacity during Al-Cl superhalide insertion.

Keywords: aqueous aluminum battery; dual-ion batteries; electrolyte; specific capacity; turbostratic structure.