Breakthrough in Energy Storage: Aqueous Aluminum-Ion Batteries Show Promise

Researchers from the Center for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences in Bengaluru, India, have made a significant discovery in the field of energy storage. According to their study, aqueous aluminum-ion batteries (AAIBs) have the potential to replace lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high energy density, low cost, and environmental benefits. The team successfully developed a flexible AAIB using intercalation materials, which showed impressive performance, including a specific capacity of 66.84 mAh g-1 and a coulombic efficiency of 96.77% over 150 cycles.

Key Takeaways:

  • Aqueous aluminum-ion batteries (AAIBs) are being considered as a cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
  • The study demonstrated the development of a flexible AAIB using intercalation materials, which showed a specific capacity of 66.84 mAh g-1 and a coulombic efficiency of 96.77% over 150 cycles.
  • The AAIB maintained its performance even after bending, with a capacity retention of 79.2% after 180 degrees bending.
  • Intercalation materials, such as copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCFe), have been identified as a promising strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of AAIBs.
  • Researchers from the Center for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, led by Kavita Pandey, have made significant contributions to the development of AAIBs.
  • Additional authors of the study include Kaifee Sayeed, Channabasaveshwar V. Yelamaggad, and Aditya Sadhanala.

Statistics:

  • Specific capacity of the AAIB: 66.84 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag-1.
  • Coulombic efficiency of the AAIB: 96.77% over 150 cycles.
  • Capacity retention after 180 degrees bending: 79.2%.
  • Number of cycles performed on the AAIB: 150.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators from Center for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences Target Energy Storage (Inceptive High-performance Flexible Aqueous Aluminum-ion Batteries Derived From Pre-intercalated Copper Hexacyanoferrate Cathode). Energy Weekly News. October 24, 2025; p 232.
  • Inceptive High-performance Flexible Aqueous Aluminum-ion Batteries Derived From Pre-intercalated Copper Hexacyanoferrate Cathode. Journal of Energy Storage, 2025;132.