# Additives for Aluminum‐Air Batteries: A Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how small amounts of additives in aluminum-air batteries improve performance by stabilizing the electrode interface and reducing corrosion.

## Contribution

The paper categorizes and analyzes the roles of organic, inorganic, and hybrid additives in enhancing aluminum-air battery performance.

## Key findings

- Additives moderate aluminum corrosion rates and inhibit self-discharge.
- They prevent surface barrier formation by forming protective films on the aluminum surface.
- Additives limit water accessibility at the aluminum interface, improving electrochemical performance.

## Abstract

The growing demand for efficient energy storage systems directs substantial research attention toward aluminum–air batteries, primarily due to their low cost and the abundant availability of aluminum. Among the various strategies aimed at enhancing their performance, the incorporation of electrolyte additives emerges as one of the most cost‐effective and efficient approaches. Electrolyte additives, usually constituting approximately 1% of the total electrolyte composition, actively influence the physicochemical characteristics of both the electrolyte and the electrode–electrolyte interface, thereby contributing to marked enhancements in the overall performance of aluminum–air batteries. Despite their low concentrations, additives play a fundamental role in enhancing the efficiency and extending the service life of aluminum–air batteries by stabilizing the electrode–electrolyte interface and promoting favorable electrochemical performance. This review investigates the primary factors propelling the advancement of aluminum–air batteries by considering the diverse functions of electrolyte additives. The additives are classified into three categories: organic, inorganic, and hybrid. This comprehensive analysis aims to serve as a key resource for the informed selection and development of electrolyte additives, thereby fostering continued innovation in aluminum–air battery technologies.

The role of electrolyte additives in Al–air batteries is investigated by focusing on their capacity to moderate Al corrosion rates, inhibit self‐discharge, and prevent surface barrier formation. Additives present in organic, inorganic, and hybrid categories, which regulate the Al–electrolyte interface by forming protective films on the Al surface, limit water accessibility at the Al interface, and limit Al anode corrosion.