Effect of Battery Materials and Catalyst Layer Orientations on the Performance of the Cotton-Based Al-Air Battery

Abstract

Al-air batteries (AABs) are potential candidates as next-generation energy storage devices, due to their high energy densities and environmental benefits. The cotton-based AABs exploit the cotton channels to transport electrolytes without the external pumps. They are feasible for application in microelectronics due to their simple electrolyte transportation systems. Until now, the effects of the battery materials on the performance of the cotton-based AAB are seldom reported. In this work, the influences of the parameters including the anode materials (Al mesh and sheet), cotton materials (cotton cloth and medical gauze), cathode materials (carbon paper and graphite paper), and cathode catalyst layer orientations are evaluated on the cotton-based AAB performance. Under the conditions of the Al mesh as anode material, medical gauze materials as the cotton channel and absorbent pad, carbon paper as the cathode, and cathode catalyst layer facing the channel, the cotton-based AAB shows an optimal performance, with its peak power density of 85.96 ± 1.14 mW cm⁻² and limiting current density of 209.33 ± 3.93 mA cm⁻². The battery stack, which is assembled from the two cotton-based AABs connecting in series, can light 70 LEDs.