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Reversible Intercalation of Multivalent Al 3+ Ions into Potassium‐Rich Cryptomelane Nanowires for Aqueous Rechargeable Al‐Ion Batteries
Author(s) -
Joseph Jickson,
Nerkar Jawahar,
Tang Cheng,
Du Aijun,
O'Mullane Anthony P.,
Ostrikov Kostya Ken
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201901182
Subject(s) - cryptomelane , aqueous solution , intercalation (chemistry) , electrolyte , electrochemistry , battery (electricity) , materials science , ion , potassium ion battery , cathode , energy storage , nanowire , inorganic chemistry , pseudocapacitor , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , electrode , manganese , chemistry , supercapacitor , manganese oxide , lithium vanadium phosphate battery , organic chemistry , metallurgy , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The development of new battery technology that utilizes abundant electrode materials that are environmentally benign is an important area of research. To alleviate the reliance on Li‐ion batteries new energy storage mechanisms are urgently needed. To address these issues, MnO 2 nanowires were investigated as a possible electrode material for use in rechargeable Al ion batteries that can operate in aqueous conditions. The use of this type of material and an aqueous electrolyte ensures safe operation as well as easy recycling of spent batteries. A potassium‐rich cryptomelane structure was presented, and a new mechanism of electrochemical energy storage was elucidated based on the intercalation and deintercalation of small‐radius Al 3+ ions interchanging with larger K + ions in the cryptomelane MnO 2 nanowires, which was supported by DFT calculations. This first‐time use of a cryptomelane MnO 2 cathode for an aqueous Al ion system yielded a discharge capacity of 109 mAh g −1 , which indicates the potential commercial viability of rechargeable aqueous Al‐ion batteries.