Ultrafast Rechargeable Aluminum-Chlorine Batteries Enabled by a Confined Chlorine Conversion Chemistry in Molten Salts

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Rechargeable metal chloride batteries, with their high discharge voltage and specific capacity, are promising for next-generation sustainable energy storage. However, sluggish solid-to-gas conversion kinetics between solid metal chlorides and gaseous Cl2 cause unsatisfactory rate capability and limited cycle life, hindering their further applications. Here we present a rechargeable aluminum-chlorine (Al-Cl2) battery that relies on a confined chlorine conversion chemistry in a molten salt electrolyte, exhibiting ultrahigh rate capability and excellent cycling stability. Both experimental analysis and theoretical calculations reveal a reversible solution-to-gas conversion reaction between AlCl4− and Cl2 in the cathode. The designed nitrogen-doped porous carbon cathode enhances Cl2 adsorption, thereby improving the cycling lifespan and coulombic efficiency of the battery. The resulting Al-Cl2 battery demonstrates a high discharge plateau of 1.95 V, remarkable rate capability without capacity decay at different rates from 5 to 50 A g−1, and good cycling stability with over 1200 cycles at a rate of 10 A g−1. Additionally, we implemented a carbon nanofiber membrane on the anode side to mitigate dendrite growth, which further extends the cycle life to 3000 cycles at an ultrahigh rate of 30 A g−1. This work provides a new perspective on the advancement of high-rate metal chloride batteries.