Advancement in Aluminium-Ion Batteries

We present an overview of recent developments within aluminium-ion batteries, a problem that has attracted wide attention. In this context, our main motivation consists in the abundant raw materials and good electrochemical performance of newly discovered approaches. The present paper then discusses certain relevant historical highlights as well as the state of the art in applicable cathode materials and electrolytes for the aluminium-ion cell technology. Although the concept of aluminium-ion batteries was introduced in the early 1970s, the initial reference to aluminium as a means of energy storage dates back to the pioneering work of Hulot from 1855; this, however, remained virtually unnoticed for decades. The resurrection of interest in the aluminium ion technology is associated mainly with the utilization of ionic liquids such as electrolytes and the preparation of various graphene-derived electrode materials.