Anode Design for High-Performance Aluminum Batteries: Challenges and Strategies

Shanshan Zeng, Tongbo Wang, Lisi Liang, Xu Zhang, Haijun Yu

Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6) : 827-842.

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Abbreviation (ISO4): Prog Chem      Editor in chief: Jincai ZHAO

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Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6) : 827-842. DOI: 10.7536/PC240807
Review

Anode Design for High-Performance Aluminum Batteries: Challenges and Strategies

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Abstract

Because of the advantages of aluminum including high volumetric/gravimetric capacity, high safety, and low cost, aluminum batteries have become one of the most attractive new electrochemical energy storage devices. High-performance battery materials are the bottleneck issues impeding the development of aluminum batteries. Compared with various cathode materials, the design of aluminum anode is a common key technology for aluminum batteries. However, the current aluminum anodes still suffer from diverse problems such as surface passivation, local corrosion, and dendrite growth, which greatly influence the electrochemical performance of aluminum batteries. In this review paper, targeting on these problems, we first analyze the key factors governing the electrochemical performance of anode from the viewpoint of reaction mechanisms. Then, we summarize recent important progress about the aluminum anode design, analyze the critical strategies for optimizing aluminum anodes, and discuss their optimization effect and mechanism. Finally, perspectives on the crucial challenges and development trends of aluminum anodes are presented, with a hope to shed light on the design of high-performance aluminum batteries.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Main types of aluminum batteries

2.1 Aqueous aluminum batteries

2.2 Nonaqueous aluminum batteries

3 The issues and mechanisms of aluminum metal anodes

3.1 Surface passivation

3.2 Corrosion

3.3 Dendrite growth

4 Optimization strategy for performance design of aluminum anode

4.1 Aluminum alloy anode

4.2 Surface modification of aluminum anode

4.3 In situ SEI regulation

4.4 3D structural design

4.5 Aluminum based composite material construction

4.6 Aluminum free anode

5 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

aluminum batteries / aluminum anode design / surface passivation / local corrosion / dendrite growth

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Shanshan Zeng , Tongbo Wang , Lisi Liang , et al . Anode Design for High-Performance Aluminum Batteries: Challenges and Strategies[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2025, 37(6): 827-842 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC240807

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Funding

National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB2402600)
National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB2404400)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(22075007)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(92263206)

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