A study of lithium transport in aluminum membranes

We employed the Devanathan–Stachurski experimental methodology for direct measurement of the rate of lithium transport in metals that can be used as negative electrodes in lithium–ion batteries. The measured Li transport rate in aluminum appears to be in relatively good agreement with previously reported results obtained using standard electrochemical techniques. However, Li transport rate measurements in aluminum membranes of different thicknesses reveal anomalies with regard to the standard diffusion controlled mass transfer model. We attribute this effect to a complex Li transport mechanism in Al membranes upon alloying.