Scientists from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology and Slovenia’s National Institute of Chemistry have claimed to have created aluminium batteries with higher energy density and wide renewable energy storage applications. Conventional aluminium batteries use aluminium anode and graphene cathode. The scientists used anthraquinone, instead of graphene for the cathode in the new device, which has increased the energy density twofold from conventional aluminium devices.

In the paper “Concept and electrochemical mechanism of an Al metal anode ‒ organic cathode battery”, published in Energy Storage Materials, the researchers explained that anthraquinone enables storage of positive charge-carriers from the electrolyte, which helps in boosting the energy density two times the conventional aluminium batteries.

“Because the new cathode material makes it possible to use a more appropriate charge-carrier, the batteries can make better usage of aluminium’s potential,” the researchers stated.

The current version of the electrolyte in the aluminium battery contains chlorine and the research team wants to eliminate the use of chlorine.

Though aluminium energy storage technology is in a nascent stage and will have to go a long way for commercial production, the new device, according to the scientists will be able to compete or complement lithium-ion storage.

“So far, aluminium batteries are only half as energy dense as lithium-ion batteries but our long-term goal is to achieve the same energy density,” stated the paper.

Patrik Johansson, the research co-author said that aluminium works better than lithium-ion as a charge carrier and “the batteries have the potential to be significantly less environmentally harmful.”