Scientists from Texas A&M University have announced that they can produce highly efficient batteries with metal-free, water-based electrodes.
Although it produces energy during the day, it is very important to store this energy and transfer it to other days. That’s why energy storage is one of the most vital issues for creating a sustainable world. While scientists continue to work on energy storage, Texas A&M University has made a very important breakthrough.
How do water-based batteries work?
Scientists from Texas A&M University have announced that they can produce highly efficient batteries with metal-free, water-based electrodes. According to the research, these batteries can be 10 times more advantageous in energy storage.
Water-based batteries, like conventional batteries, consist of an anode (positively charged electrode) and a cathode (negatively charged electrode). The energy-storing anode and cathode are made of polymer, while the electrolyte is basically saline water. As ions move between the cathode and anode parts through the electrolyte, energy is released.
If an electrode swells too much during the cycle, then it cannot conduct electrons very well and can lose all performance. While up to 10-fold differences in energy storage capacity can occur depending on the choice of electrolyte due to swelling effects, water-based batteries are said to be promising due to the high discharge voltage and fast redox kinetics of polymers.
No more battery fires
Researchers suggest that water-based batteries could reduce potential metal deficiencies such as cobalt and lithium and also eliminate the possibility of battery fires. In the future, the price of lithium-ion batteries will rise considerably, considering that there will be a shortage of materials. That’s why an alternative battery technology is so important.
Scientists emphasize that they are still at the beginning of the road in energy storage in a water-based environment and that there are still many details to be investigated.
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