Recent developments on electrode materials and electrolytes for aluminium-ion batteries

The tremendous increase in the usage of electronic devices and electric based transportation makes research on energy storage materials most important in these days. But fatal catastrophe resulting from lithium-ion energy storage devices that are dominant in the commercial energy market developed concerns regarding high cost and uneven supply of raw materials, safety, etc. Therefore, researchers are contemplating post-lithium-ion technologies to develop innovative systems with high capacity and stability. The rechargeable high-valent aluminium-ion battery (AIB) is flagged as a low cost high energy system to satisfy societal needs. In AIB, metallic aluminium is used as the negative electrode, offering the advantage of a volumetric capacity four times higher (theoretically) than lithium. AIBs have high theoretical volumetric capacity (8056 mAh g−1) and gravimetric capacity (≈ 2981 mAh cm−3). This article recaps the developments in various components of rechargeable batteries which are responsible for improving the electrochemical performance. Also, theoretical studies are used to understand the mechanisms of batteries as they contribute to the design of the new generation AIBs. The review provides strategies for the selection of materials to design high capacity AIBs. Finally, it provides guidance for future AIBs.