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Could the future of non-toxic batteries be water-based?(Image credit: Yana Iskayeva via Getty Images)Share this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleSubscribe to our newsletter
Chinese researchers have developed an innovative formulation for a non-toxic “aqueous battery” that they claim could offer a tenfold increase in lifespan compared to current devices. Notably, this water-based battery boasts remarkable longevity without degradation and can be safely discarded into the environment, as detailed by the team in a recent publication.
For their novel approach, the scientists employed synthesized covalent organic polymers (COPs). These robust, organic molecules, composed of elements like nitrogen and carbon, are arranged in a compact structure with distinct apertures, serving as an anode for magnesium and calcium ions.
In the research, published on February 18th in the journal Nature Communications, the investigators identified a particular compound (hexaketone-tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin). This substance unites a high concentration of carbonyl groups — ideal for attracting positively charged ions — with a rigid tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin molecule that maintains the hexaketone in its flat, honeycomb-like configuration.
The neutral electrolytes utilized in the study, possessing a pH of 7.0, facilitate ion conduction with exceptional efficiency. This, coupled with the meticulously engineered structure, prevents corrosion of the COP.
The researchers project that the polymers could withstand 120,000 charge cycles, surpassing the lifespan of typical lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used for grid storage by over ten times, according to data from Energy Sustainability Directory. Grid batteries averaged 1.1 cycles daily in 2024. At this pace, the aqueous battery could remain operational for approximately 300 years before requiring replacement.
Furthermore, the scientists indicated that the electrolytes employed in the new battery are so benign that they can be used similarly to tofu brine – meaning they are non-toxic and can be disposed of readily into the natural environment.
Benefits of aqueous batteries
Aqueous batteries are particularly advantageous for large-scale energy storage, such as extensive battery energy-storage systems, owing to their non-flammable characteristics and lower initial investment.
However, they also present certain drawbacks. Aqueous batteries do not hold as much energy as conventional Li-ion or sodium-ion (Na-ion) devices because water-based electrodes impose a limit on the maximum achievable voltage.
Aqueous batteries also degrade over time. The extreme pH of the electrolyte can generate hydrogen and oxygen gas, leading to the corrosion of the battery’s metallic components. This phenomenon, known as electrolyte decomposition, can, in severe instances, result in explosions. This constraint – a compromise between safety and energy density – is typically addressed by constructing larger aqueous battery storage facilities.
Moreover, the aqueous solution used in these batteries is often hazardous and necessitates careful disposal. This poses a potential ecological hazard in the event of an accident that might expose the batteries to the elements, and it escalates the expenses associated with the secure maintenance of aqueous battery energy-storage systems.
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In a 2023 study featured in the journal Nature, researchers highlighted high costs, performance degradation, and environmental toxicity as significant disadvantages of aqueous batteries.
Degradation, in this context, refers to the gradual decline in battery capacity and efficiency over time – a familiar frustration for anyone who has used the same smartphone for over a few years.
The latest advancement seeks to overcome these limitations by introducing a chemical composition that is both harmless and highly effective in the long run, thereby extending battery lifespan and minimizing issues related to battery disposal.
Sourse: www.livescience.com