CMD30 FisMat2023 - Submission - View

Abstract title: Graphdiyne—A Two-Dimensional Cathode for Aluminum Dual-Ion Batteries with High Specific Capacity and Diffusivity
Submitting author: Abhijitha V G
Affiliation: Condensed Matter Theory and Computational Lab
Affiliation Address: Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, India
Country: India
Other authors and affiliations: Shashi B. Mishra, IIT Madras, Condensed Matter Theory and Computational Lab, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, India B. R. K. Nanda Condensed Matter Theory and Computational Lab, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, India Center for Atomistic Modelling and Materials Design, IIT Madras, India
Abstract
Identifying a suitable cathode material for aluminum dual-ion batteries (ADIBs) with an enhanced specific capacity, cyclic durability, and open circuit voltage is among the major challenges in its commercialization. We propose graphdiyne (GDY) monolayer, a recently synthesized carbon allotrope, as a promising cathode material to host the diffusing AlCl4, which is responsible for the charging/discharging process in ADIBs. Density functional theory calculations are performed to reveal the mechanism of adsorption of AlCl4 on GDY, while thermodynamical stability and diffusion dynamics are examined through ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The theoretical specific capacity of this room-temperature stable system is calculated to be 186 mA h/g, which is 3 times higher compared to the case in which graphite is used as the cathode. The cyclic durability of this system is established as the GDY regains its equilibrium structure after releasing AlCl4 during discharge. The activation barrier—a measure of ease with which the diffusion occurs—is calculated with the aid of the climbing image-nudged elastic band method and found to be 0.08 and 0.05 eV for monolayer and bilayer GDY, respectively. Hence, with GDY as the cathode material, we can achieve an ultralow diffusion energy barrier. Furthermore, due to charge transfer between Cl and C sites, the semiconducting GDY becomes metallic upon AlCl4 adsorption, which is an added advantage in improving the electronic conductivity.