High-Purity Aluminium Foil Used in Latest Aluminium Battery Research

Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), working with collaborators at Umeå University, the University of Oulu, IMT Mines Albi and the Digital University Kerala, have published new findings in Batteries & Supercaps (2026) demonstrating how engineered pore structure improves the long-term stability of aluminium-ion batteries.

Latest Aluminium-Ion Battery Research from SLU and International Partners

For cell assembly and electrochemical testing, the team used high-purity aluminium foil (≥99.999%, 0.25 mm thickness) supplied by Advent Research Materials Ltd, UK

This latest study builds on earlier investigations into biomass-derived carbon electrodes, but moves the science forward by systematically tuning pore architecture to optimise performance rather than simply maximising surface area.

The Science Made Simple

Think of the carbon electrode as a network of microscopic channels. If the structure contains too many extremely small pores, it can weaken over time as ions move in and out. If it contains too few small pores, it cannot store enough charge.

The researchers found that the right balance between small storage pores and larger transport pathways allows aluminium batteries to cycle for longer while maintaining capacity.
Stable, high-purity aluminium foil on the opposite side of the cell ensures those improvements can be measured accurately and consistently.

Why Pore Structure Matters in Aluminium-Ion Batteries

Aluminium batteries are being explored as an alternative to lithium-ion systems because aluminium is abundant, low cost and capable of transferring three electrons per ion. The theoretical capacity is high. Achieving stable practical performance, however, depends heavily on cathode design.

In this work, birch sawmill waste was carbonised and chemically activated to create porous carbon cathodes. Instead of assuming that more aggressive activation produces better results, the researchers compared different activation levels and analysed how micro- and mesopore balance affects ion transport and long-term cycling.

The optimised material delivered around 140 mAh g⁻¹ at low current density and retained 86 mAh g⁻¹ after 5700 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. Detailed impedance, Raman and post-cycling SEM analysis confirmed that a balanced pore network preserved structural integrity over thousands of cycles, while excessive microporosity led to degradation.

For research teams developing aluminium-ion systems, this provides practical guidance on how hierarchical porosity influences durability and electrochemical stability.

The Role of High-Purity Aluminium Foil in Battery Testing

In laboratory battery development, anode quality must not introduce variability. The study specifies aluminium foil of ≥99.999% purity and 0.25 mm thickness, supplied by Advent Research Materials.

At this purity level, trace metallic impurities are minimised, reducing unwanted side reactions and ensuring consistent electrochemical behaviour. When cycling cells for thousands of cycles and measuring impedance growth, reproducibility is essential. High-purity aluminium foil ensures that performance differences reflect cathode design rather than inconsistencies in the metal substrate.

For universities, national laboratories and industrial R&D teams, material specification forms part of experimental control.

Aluminium Foil for Advanced Battery Research

Advent Research Materials supplies high-purity aluminium foil in research-scale quantities to universities, national laboratories and industrial R&D teams working in electrochemistry and energy storage.

The aluminium foil used in this study (≥99.999%, 0.25 mm thickness) was sourced from Advent.

For researchers developing aluminium-ion battery systems, consistent purity and dimensional control are essential to ensure reproducible electrochemical testing and reliable long-term cycling data.

Researchers developing aluminium-ion batteries and related electrochemical systems can source high-purity aluminium foil directly from Advent Research Materials. We supply ≥99.999% aluminium foil in research-scale quantities, with precision-thickness options suitable for pouch-cell and half-cell assembly.

To discuss your aluminium foil requirements or request a quotation, contact our team or explore our aluminium foil range on the Advent Research Materials website.

Research Citation

Menestreau, P.; Paul, M.; Manavalan, G.; Boulanger, N.; Molaiyan, P.; Hu, T.; Lassi, U.; Cherian, C. T.; Thyrel, M.; Petnikota, S.
Hierarchical Porosity Engineering of Birch-Derived Carbons via KOH Activation for High-Performance Aluminium Batteries.
Batteries & Supercaps, 2026, 9, e202500779.
DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500779

Aluminium metal foil (≥99.999%, 0.25 mm thickness) used in this research was supplied by Advent Research Materials Ltd.