Carbon Nanoscrolls for Aluminum Battery

This design provides a scalable route for in situ synthesizing of special carbon nanoscrolls as the cathode for an aluminum battery. The frizzy architectures are generated by a few graphene layers convoluting into the hollow carbon scroll, possessing rapid electronic transportation channels, superior anion storage capability, and outstanding ability of accommodating a large volume expansion during the cycling process. The electrochemical performance of the carbon nanoscroll cathode is fully tapped, displaying an excellent reversible discharge capacity of 104 mAh g–1 at 1000 mA g–1. After 55 000 cycles, this cathode retains a superior reversible specific capacity of 101.24 mAh g–1 at an ultrafast rate of 50 000 mA g–1, around 100% of the initial capacity, which demonstrates a superior electrochemical performance. In addition, anionic storage capability and structural stability are discussed in detail. The battery capacity under a wide temperature range from −80 to 120 °C is examined. At a low temperature of −25 °C, the battery delivers a discharge capacity of 62.83 mAh g–1 after 10 000 cycles, obtaining a capacity retention near 100%. In addition, it achieves a capacity of 99.5 mAh g–1 after 4000 cycles at a high temperature of 80 °C, with a capacity retention close to 100%. The carbon nanoscrolls possess an outstanding ultrafast charging/variable discharging rate performance surpassing all the batteries previously reported, which are highly promising for being applied in energy storage fields.