Aluminum alloy anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Aluminum has larger theoretical capacity of 2235 mAh/g than that of graphite (372 mAh/g), but it has big disadvantages including shorter cycle life and higher irreversible capacity loss. Improving cycle performance can be obtained via alloying of aluminum. In this paper, two ternary aluminum alloy, Al7Cu2Fe and Al73Cu5Fe22 were prepared. The main phase of Al7Cu2Fe alloy was Al7Cu2Fe. The heat treatment increased the proportion of Al7Cu2Fe. The main phase of Al73Cu5Fe22 alloy was Al60Cu30Fe10. The heat treatment reduced the proportion of Al60Cu30Fe10. For two alloys, the heat treatment could increase discharge capacity compared with cast alloy. The discharge capacity was improved by 50%. The content of aluminum in alloys has little effect on improving cycle performance, and it has obvious influence on the phase structure of alloy with heat treatment.