High performance Al anode for Al-air battery enabled by coordinating In and Sb additions with discharge parameters

High performance of Al anode for Al-air battery was achieved via coordinating minor In and Sb additions with discharge parameters. The electrochemical behaviors, discharge performance and surface structures of aluminum electrodes are systematically investigated to understand the alloying chemistry coordination of indium and antimony. The results show that coordinating indium and antimony can significantly activate the Al electrode without aggravating the hydrogen evolution. The assembled Al-air cell with Al-0.05In-0.05Sb electrode exhibits a desirable specific capacity and energy density of 2638 Ah·kg⁻¹ and 3166 Wh·kg⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, antimony has better activating effect than indium, especially at discharge current density over 40 mA·cm⁻². The activating mechanisms are discussed in detail.