Volume 24, Issue 1 e202300017
Review

A Mechanistic Overview of the Current Status and Future Challenges in Air Cathode for Aluminum Air Batteries

Santa Islam

Santa Islam

Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100 Bangladesh

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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S. M. Abu Nayem

S. M. Abu Nayem

Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100 Bangladesh

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Ahtisham Anjum

Ahtisham Anjum

Physics Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM, Box 5047, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Syed Shaheen Shah

Syed Shaheen Shah

Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8520 Japan

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A. J. Saleh Ahammad

Corresponding Author

A. J. Saleh Ahammad

Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100 Bangladesh

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Md. Abdul Aziz

Corresponding Author

Md. Abdul Aziz

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage (IRC-HES), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM Box 5040, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

K.A.CARE Energy Research & Innovation Center, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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First published: 03 April 2023
Citations: 5

Abstract

Aluminum air batteries (AABs) are a desirable option for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs) due to their high theoretical energy density (8100 Wh K−1), low cost, and high safety compared to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, numerous unresolved technological and scientific issues are preventing AABs from expanding further. One of the key issues is the catalytic reaction kinetics of the air cathode as the fuel (oxygen) for AAB is reduced there. Additionally, the performance and price of an AAB are directly influenced by an air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst, which is thought to be the most crucial element. In this study, we covered the oxygen chemistry of the air cathode as well as a brief discussion of the mechanistic insights of active catalysts and how they catalyze and enhance oxygen chemistry reactions. There is also extensive discussion of research into electrocatalytic materials that outperform Pt/C such as nonprecious metal catalysts, metal oxide, perovskites, metal-organic framework, carbonaceous materials, and their composites. Finally, we provide an overview of the present state, and possible future direction for air cathodes in AABs.

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