LAUSR

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) possess significant advantages of high energy density, safety performance and abundant natural resources, making them one of the desirable next-generation substitutes for lithium battery systems. However, the poor reversibility, short lifespan or low capacity of positive materials have limited its practical applications. In comparison with semiconductors, metallic nickel telluride (NiTe) alloy with enhanced electrical conductivity and fast electron transmission is a more favorable electrode material which could significantly decrease the kinetic barrier during battery operation for energy strorage. In this paper, the NiTe nanorods prepared through a simple hydrothermal routine enable to deliver an initial reversible capacity of approximately 570 mA h g-1 (under the current density of 200 mA g-1) on basis of the ionic liquid electrolyte, along with the average voltage platform of about 1.30 V. Moreover, the cycling performance could be easily enhanced by using a modified separator for forbidding the diffusion of soluble intermediate species to the negative electrodes side. At a high rate of 500 mA g-1, the NiTe nanorods could retain a specific capacity of about 307 mA h g-1 at the 100th cycle. The results have important implications for the research of transition metal tellurides as positive electrode materials for AIBs.