A chloric polycation binder enables rapid ionic transport in thick electrodes of high-energy aluminum-ion batteries

The design of binder materials is vital for achieving an active impact on charge or mass transport in battery electrodes. Nevertheless, design rules are still lacking for aluminum-ion batteries. For high-loading graphite cathodes, we report the application of chloric polycation binders, which facilitate ionic transport through the in situ polycation-AlCl4− networks. We find that conjugated unit doping is an effective method to enhance adhesive properties. These attributes endow cells with improved electrochemical properties in terms of area-specific capacity, energy efficiency, rate capability, and long-term cycling stability.