| Popis: |
Rechargeable aqueous aluminium batteries are the subject of growing interest, but the charge storage mechanisms at manganese oxide-based cathodes remain poorly understood with as many mechanisms as studies. Here, we use an original in situ spectroelectrochemical methodology to unambiguously demonstrate that the reversible proton-coupled MnO2-to-Mn2+ conversion is the main charge storage mechanism occurring at MnO2 cathodes over a range of slightly acidic Al3+-based aqueous electrolytes. In Zn/MnO2 assemblies, this mechanism is associated with high gravimetric capacity and discharge potentials, up to 560 mAh·g-1 and 1.76 V respectively, attractive efficiencies (CE > 98.5 % and EE > 80%) and excellent cyclability (> 750 cycles at 10 A·g-1). Finally, we conducted a critical analysis of the data previously published on MnOx cathodes in Al3+-based aqueous electrolytes to conclude on a universal charge storage mechanism, i.e., the reversible electrodissolution/electrodeposition of MnO2. |
