Anhydrous salts for non-corrosive aluminium battery electrolytes†

Commercial aluminium triflate and aluminium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts are hydrates, which renders water containing electrolytes that passivate electrodes through Al(OH)₃ formation. By acid–base reactions we produce anhydrous salts and the resulting anhydrous electrolytes demonstrate enhanced electrochemical activity, paving the way for aluminium battery development.