Metal-organic framework-derived CuTe@porous carbon composites as novel cathodes for aluminum ion batteries

Due to the advantages of aluminum's considerable theoretical capacity, stability in air, and cheapness, rechargeable aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) have become an attractive new secondary battery system. However, cathode materials remain the most fundamental need for the study of AIBs. In this paper, a metal organic framework (HKUST-1) with a specific morphology was successfully synthesized and CuTe@C composites were prepared by subsequent tellurization/carbonization. CuTe@C composites can largely maintain the pore structure and microscopic octahedral morphology of the precursors. The large specific surface area and porous structure are conducive to improved diffusion transport conditions and higher electrochemical activity of the electrode. Meanwhile, the carbon matrix generated by organic ligands through the heat treatment plays an encapsulation role. When CuTe@C is applied to the cathode material for AIBs, it provides a high first cycle discharge specific capacity of 556.3 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1), and the discharge voltage plateau (approximately at 1.3 V) is evident. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and galvanostatic charge-discharge test indicate that the reaction mechanism is the intercalation/deintercalation of AlCl4-. In summary, this method of preparing shape-controlled composites provides a novel idea for the synthesis of AIBs electrode materials.

Automated summary

In this paper, a metal organic framework (HKUST-1) with a specific morphology was successfully synthesized and CuTe@C composites were prepared. When CuTe@C is applied to the cathode material for AIBs, it shows excellent electrochemical performance.