Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: Ultra-fast charging in aluminum-ion batteries: electric double layers on active anode

doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21108-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: a SEM images and elemental mapping (EDS) of gallium distribution on anode. Before charging, liquid metal forms a spread-out network on Al. After charging, part of the liquid metal wraps up as spheres next to those newly grown aluminum sites. b The effect of liquid metal treatment time on capacity (charging and discharging current density of 20 A g −1 and cut-off voltage of 2.45 V). c Galvanostatic charge and discharge curves. Graphene cathode has a mass of 0.026 mg and density of 0.16 mg cm −2 . Note the optimal time (4 h) has the lowest saturation voltage and maximum capacity ( i c = 200 A g −1 ). d Stability test of our Al-ion batteries using active anode over 45,000 cycles (same charging and discharging current density of 40 A g −1 , cut-off voltage of 2.45 V). e Raman setup to study reaction on the active anode. f Time series of Raman spectra for one full cycle of charging and discharging at the interface of anode ( i c = i dc ). Al 2 Cl 7 − , 299 cm −1 (green zone); AlCl 4 − , 338 cm −1 (yellow zone); Al 3 Cl 10 - , 500 cm −1 (red zone); and EMI + , 753, 790, 1135, 1410, 1590 cm −1 (blue zone).

Article Snippet: The spectrometer is coupled to both the inverted microscope and the laser ( λ = 647 nm and a nominal power of 150 mW) using the Raman Probe—the fiber optics cable (StellarNet, Inc.) which integrates both excitation and collection cables.

Techniques: