High voltage carbon-based cathodes for non-aqueous aluminium-ion batteries

TL;DR

This study compares various carbon materials as cathodes for non-aqueous aluminium-ion batteries, highlighting hair-derived activated carbon's superior performance and analyzing the effects of structure and porosity on capacity and efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates four different carbon materials, including a novel hair-derived activated carbon, for aluminium-ion battery cathodes, providing insights into their structural influence on performance.

Findings

Hair-derived activated carbon achieved the highest capacity of 103 mAh g$^{-1}$ after 50 cycles.

Hemp fibers and Super-P carbon black reached capacities of 56 mAh g$^{-1}$ and 84 mAh g$^{-1}$ respectively.

Fullerene extract maintained a stable capacity of 78 mAh g$^{-1}$ over 50 cycles.

Abstract

Four different forms of carbon: activated carbon (AC) from human hair, AC from hemp fibers, a carbon fullerene extract consisting of C$_{60}$ and C$_{70}$ fullerene (CFEx) and Super-P carbon black were tested and compared as cathodes for non-aqueous aluminium-ion batteries (AIBs). These materials differ in their general structure, porosity and morphology. Fullerenes display a crystalline structure, whereas hemp fibers, Super-P and hair are amorphous in nature. Of all materials, AC obtained from hair recorded the highest specific capacity after 50 cycles at 103 mAh g$^{-1}$ with a Coulombic efficiency of $\sim$90% at a current rate of 50 mA g$^{-1}$. Both hemp fibers and Super-P achieved their highest specific capacities at 56 mAh g$^{-1}$ and 84 mAh g$^{-1}$ respectively. CFEx recorded its highest capacity at 78 mAh g$^{-1}$ and maintained it for 50 cycles. The cells were charged and discharged to 2.45 V and 0.2 V respectively.