Aqueous batteries use water as the solvent for electrolytes, enhancing the safety of the batteries.
Updated: May 06, 2024 02:17 AM EST By Prabhat Ranjan Mishra
Researchers in China have developed a water-based battery, which is claimed to be much safer and energy-efficient than “highly flammable” non-aqueous lithium batteries.
Interestingly, the researchers say that these new batteries will be twice as energy-dense as traditional lithium-ion options. This holds the potential to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.
Moreover, aqueous batteries use water as the solvent for electrolytes, enhancing their safety. Traditional non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, but their safety is compromised due to the flammable organic electrolytes, a component that allows the battery to charge and discharge, they utilize.
Lower energy density
However, aqueous batteries generally have a lower energy density due to the limited solubility of the electrolyte and low battery voltage.
Now, researchers in China have developed a high-energy-density aqueous battery based on halogen multi-electron transfer.
A research group led by Prof. LI Xianfeng from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Prof. FU Qiang’s group also from DICP, developed a multi-electron transfer cathode based on bromine and iodine.
This cathode achieved a specific capacity of more than 840 Ah/L and an energy density of up to 1200 Wh/L based on catholyte in full battery testing, according to a new study published in Nature Energy.
Researchers used a mixed halogen solution To improve the energy density of aqueous batteries, researchers used a mixed halogen solution of iodide ions (I-) and bromide ions (Br-) as the electrolyte. They developed a multi-electron transfer reaction, transferring I- to iodine element (I2) and then to iodate (IO3-).
Researchers said that during the charging process, I- were oxidized to IO3- on the positive side, and the generated H+ were conducted to the negative side in the form of a supporting electrolyte. During the discharge process, H+ were conducted from the positive side, and IO3- were reduced to I-.
The process The developed multi-electron transfer cathode had a specific capacity of 840 Ah/L. Combining the cathode with metallic Cd to form a full battery, researchers achieved an energy density of up to 1200 Wh/L based on the developed catholyte.
According to the researchers, Br- added to the electrolyte could generate polar iodine bromide (IBr) during the charging process, which facilitated the reaction with H2O to form IO3-.
During the discharge, IO3- could oxidize Br- to Br2 and participated in the electrochemical reaction to realize reversible and rapid discharge of IO3-. Therefore, the bromide intermediate formed during the charge and discharge process optimized the reaction process, effectively improving the kinetic and reversibility of the electrochemical reaction.
Batteries’ life cycle could be extended to 1,000 cycles
According to SCMP, when the researchers tested their electrolyte with a vanadium anode, they found the batteries’ life cycle could be extended to 1,000 cycles, “demonstrating significant stability.”
Scientists also mentioned that their batteries’ energy density even “exceeded that of some solid electrode materials” and could be comparable in cost to traditional lithium batteries.
They claimed that their work showcases that aqueous batteries with high energy density can be developed, and it offers a development option for grid-scale energy storage and even electric vehicles.
“This study provides a new idea for the design of high-energy-density aqueous batteries, and may expand the aqueous batteries application in power batteries field,” said Prof. LI.
Commies have a history of lying...
Hmmm.
My scientist brain wonders what happens to both the contained steam and hydrogen produced under a battery failure condition...
I don’t believe that we will see a truly effective battery technology leap in my lifetime.
The author does not know the definition of “inflammable”.
I’m waiting for the battery of the future, fusion-based, and that will last forever, and the size of a 9 volt battery, and which won’t ever blow up or burn up. The Chinese are working on that, along with the N.Vietnamese and Russians. And that battery is more real than the water-based battery being developed by the Chinese. MIT is also working on a sand-based battery, but, they won’t divulge any details about it, trying to keep the technology from being stolen by the Chinese.
First brain flashes:
“Water-based.” Like, heavy-water?
“Water-based.” So when they catch fire, they can put themselves out? Good.
From 2019:
New technology
Indian company develops water-fuelled battery
By Philip Gordon on Jan 16, 2019
smart-energy.com
Indian technology company Log 9 Materials, an offshoot of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, has developed a metal air battery with an energy density ten times that of conventional lithium-ion.
The battery uses water as fuel and requires “refilling” every 100 kilometers, thanks to its use of graphene.
The only part of the battery requiring regular replacement is an aluminium anode, which needs to be replaced every 1000 kilometers and can be recycled.
The benefits of the technology include the eliminated need for recharging, charging stations and related infrastructure, as well as zero emissions.
Further benefits extend to smart energy generation and storage, and decreased reliance on limited elements such as cobalt.
The concept is not a new one. Several companies have been working towards similar technologies and the concept has drawn the interest and attention of Tesla, currently the leader in EV vehicle market share globally.
The metal air batteries use aluminium as an anode and air (oxygen) as a cathode. Graphene has proven to be an excellent material to facilitate air transfer, thanks to its high porosity. Water provides a low-cost electrolyte.
There are challenges to the technology however, including the inevitable loss of battery performance due to corrosion, thus plans for prototype use in mobility applications is planned for 2020, following initial offerings for stationary applications.
Batteries using this new technology are expected to be on par, or cheaper than current Lithium ion-based technology.
Vaporware. Literally. In their most wildly optimistic future, it could be “competitive” with Lithium. 1,000 cycles per cell is pretty bad. Lithium only has about 2,000, but that’s per cell, not for the entire constellation of cells that make up a lithium battery. (The word “battery” now has two valid meanings at once.) If you use your car daily and recharge it, will that be 1,000 cycles in 3 years?
step two: then a miracle happens.
Hell, I’m still waiting for nuclear fusion, which has been reported to be “just around the corner” for the better part of my life.
I’m old enough to remember when all automotive batteries were water and acid based. The heat in the engine compartment caused evaporation. Common practice when getting a refuel of gasoline was for the filling station attendant to check engine oil level and battery water level. Along about the late 70s science had advanced to where automobile engines were precision to the point that it was unnecessary to check the oil level, and the water batteries were sealed and no longer needed checking.....and then they dropped water and went to what we have now.
I can’t wait for all the experts here on FR to chime in.
Twice the energy density just means it will make a hotter, bigger fire when, not if, it ignites.
“There’s still more work to be done,…”
Why? If the article is true they’ve nailed it.
Water-based so that it can self-extinguish when it bursts Into flame? J/k
Was it you that posted about an emerging tech where it will take just 1 minute to recharge phone batteries and 10 minutes for car battery? Can’t remeber where I saw that yesterday. THAT would be cool if possible. But I’d still charge and store my mandated electric car outside IF we are all forced to go that route.
“Aqueous batteries use water as the solvent for electrolytes, enhancing the safety of the batteries.”
isn’t that how lead-acid batteries work now: sulfuric acid dissolved in water?
Water-based?
Does the author mean hydrogen?