Chelation‐Driven Electrolyte Design for Enhanced Interface and Electrochemical Window in Aqueous Aluminum Batteries

D Dan‐Yang Wang (Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore) E Erhai Hu (Energy Research Institute@NTU) G Gang Wu H Honghan Choo (Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore) C Carlo Franke (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Atomic‐scale Characterisation Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Universitätsstraße 150 Bochum 44801 Germany) B Bei‐Er Jia (Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore) J Jinxuan Song (Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore) A Afriyanti Sumboja (Material Science and Engineering Research Group Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia) I Ivandini T. Anggraningrum (Department of Chemistry University of Indonesia Depok 16424 Indonesia) A Anne Zulfia Syahrial (Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department Fakultas Teknik Universitas Indonesia Kampus UI Depok 16424 Indonesia) Q Qiang Zhu (School of Science and Molecular Horizons, ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology) M Man‐Fai Ng (Institute of High‐Performance Computing Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138632 Singapore) T Tong Li Q Qingyu Yan (School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous aluminum‐ion batteries have garnered significant attention owing to the abundance of aluminum resources, high theoretical specific capacity, and excellent safety. However, challenges such as electrolyte‐induced water decomposition, aluminum anode corrosion, and electrode material compatibility continue to constrain their performance. In this study, we restructured the solvation environment using the chelating reagent Bis(2‐methoxyethyl)amine (BMEA), achieving an expanded electrochemical window of 2.2 V and mitigating hydrogen evolution side reactions. Advanced atom probe tomography analysis confirmed that BMEA actively participates in the formation of the solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI), effectively preventing aluminum surface corrosion and extending the cycle life of the aluminum anode. Employed as a BMEA‐containing electrolyte in aluminum–organic batteries, the resulting Al||Tetrachloro‐1,4‐benzoquinone (TCB) battery delivered a high capacity of 218.0 mAh g −1 and demonstrated stable cycling over 300 cycles. This study highlights the potential of chelating agents as additives in advancing high‐performance aluminum batteries.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 33
Published August 11, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

D

Dan‐Yang Wang

Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore

E

Erhai Hu

Energy Research Institute@NTU

G

Gang Wu

H

Honghan Choo

Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore

C

Carlo Franke

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Atomic‐scale Characterisation Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Universitätsstraße 150 Bochum 44801 Germany

B

Bei‐Er Jia

Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore

J

Jinxuan Song

Energy Research Institute @ NTU Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637141 Singapore

A

Afriyanti Sumboja

Material Science and Engineering Research Group Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132 Indonesia

I

Ivandini T. Anggraningrum

Department of Chemistry University of Indonesia Depok 16424 Indonesia

A

Anne Zulfia Syahrial

Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department Fakultas Teknik Universitas Indonesia Kampus UI Depok 16424 Indonesia

Q

Qiang Zhu

School of Science and Molecular Horizons, ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology

M

Man‐Fai Ng

Institute of High‐Performance Computing Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138632 Singapore

T

Tong Li

Q

Qingyu Yan

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore