Forecasting the viability of complete stage transitions in aluminium-based batteries and predicting capacity fluctuations in response to high-rate discharges

Abstract

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, fully charged aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have been widely reported to struggle with the intercalation of AlCl₄ ions in the stage 1 configuration which hinders the intercalation efficiency associated with energy density. Due to the lack of a comprehensive model that can predict whether a complete transition to stage 1 can be achieved through modifications of AIBs, we have developed a predictive model for this purpose. Our ab initio assisted Monte Carlo algorithm enables the scientific manipulation of various factors such as temperature, binding energy, diffusion barriers, electrostatic interactions, screening effects, and charge transfer dynamics within the intercalated electrode, which allows for the prediction of whether a complete transition to stage 1 or mixed stage configuration will occur. In addition, we observe that the barrier to a complete stage 1 transition is closely related to unexpected issues arising from excessive dielectric constants in AIBs. As the demand for batteries evolves, high-rate discharge capabilities are becoming crucial, especially for extreme applications that require quick bursts of power. Hence, we conduct a case study on ultrafast discharged AIBs, where we experimentally observe strong capacity fluctuations over usage cycles. To enhance the ability to predict this oscillation, we harness the power of AI networks to identify essential forecasting parameters, paving the way to manage issues related to power consistency when operating in high-rate discharge modes.