Ultrafast Rechargeable Aluminum-Chlorine Batteries Enabled by a Confined Chlorine Conversion Chemistry in Molten Salts

Rechargeable metal chloride batteries, with their high discharge voltage and specific capacity, are promising for next-generation sustainable energy storage. However, sluggish solid-to-gas conversion kinetics between solid metal chlorides and gaseous Cl₂ cause unsatisfactory rate capability and limited cycle life, hindering their further applications. Here we present a rechargeable aluminum-chlorine (Al-Cl₂) battery that relies on a confined chlorine conversion chemistry in a molten salt electrolyte, exhibiting ultrahigh rate capability and excellent cycling stability. Both experimental analysis and theoretical calculations reveal a reversible solution-to-gas conversion reaction between AlCl₄^- and Cl₂ in the cathode. The designed nitrogen-doped porous carbon cathode enhances Cl₂ adsorption, thereby improving the cycling lifespan and coulombic efficiency of the battery. The resulting Al-Cl₂ battery demonstrates a high discharge plateau of 1.95 V, remarkable rate capability without capacity decay at different rates from 5 to 50 A g^-1, and good cycling stability with over 1200 cycles at a rate of 10 A g^-1. Additionally, we implemented a carbon nanofiber membrane on the anode side to mitigate dendrite growth, which further extends the cycle life to 3000 cycles at an ultrahigh rate of 30 A g^-1. This work provides a new perspective on the advancement of high-rate metal chloride batteries.