Morphology regulation during mechanochemistry synthesis activating nanostructured aluminum lithium storage behavior.

This article focuses on the scalable synthesis and lithium storage behavior of nanostructured aluminum (Al) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Using a solvent-free mechanochemistry method, Al nanoparticles were produced via a solid-phase reaction between aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and sodium (Na), with Ketjen black (KB) employed to regulate nanoparticle morphology and improve electron transfer among Al crystals. The resulting massive nano-Al exhibited initial discharge/charge capacities of 630.6 and 402.0 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹, but suffered rapid capacity degradation within about 20 cycles. Comprehensive analyses identified the increased energy barrier for LiAl alloy formation and slow lithium diffusion kinetics within the Al matrix as primary factors limiting the anode's performance. This work presents a scalable synthesis approach for nanostructured Al and provides insights into the challenges affecting its lithium storage capabilities.