Causes of hydrogen generation and incessant accumulation within the cell in the aqueous rechargeable batteries
CREDIT: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Automatic conversion of hydrogen gas into water makes batteries safer. A breakthrough technology for the commercialization of cheaper, safer aqueous rechargeable batteries.
This summer, the planet is suffering from unprecedented heat waves and heavy rainfalls. Developing renewable energy and expanding associated infrastructure has become an essential survival strategy to ensure the sustainability of the planet in crisis, but it has obvious limitations due to the volatility of electricity production, which relies on uncertain variables like labile weather conditions. For this reason, the demand for energy storage systems (ESS) that can store and supply electricity as needed is ever-increasing, but lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) currently employed in ESS are not only highly expensive, but also prone to potential fire, so there is an urgent need to develop cheaper and safer alternatives.
A research team led by Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung of the Energy Storage Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a highly safe aqueous rechargeable battery that can offer a timely substitute that meets the cost and safety needs. Despite of lower energy density achievable, aqueous rechargeable batteries have a significant economic advantage as the cost of raw materials is much lower than LIBs. However, inveterate hydrogen gas generated from parasitic water decomposition causes a gradual rise in internal pressure and eventual depletion of the electrolyte, which poses a sizeable threat on the battery safety, making commercialization difficult.
Until now, researchers have often tried to evade this issue by installing a surface protection layer that minimizes the contact area between the metal anode and the electrolyte. However, the corrosion of the metal anode and accompanying decomposition of water in the electrolyte is inevitable in most cases, and incessant accumulation of hydrogen gas can cause a potential detonation in long-term operation.
To cope with this critical issue, the research team has developed a composite catalyst consisting of manganese dioxide and palladium, which is capable of automatically converting hydrogen gas generated inside the cell into water, ensuring both the performance and safety of the cell. Manganese dioxide does not react with hydrogen gas under normal circumstances, but when a small amount of palladium is added, hydrogen is readily absorbed by the catalysts, being regenerated into water. In the prototype cell loaded with the newly developed catalysts, the internal pressure of the cell was maintained well below the safety limit, and no electrolyte depletion was observed.
The results of this research effectively solves one of the most concerning safety issues in the aqueous batteries, making a major stride towards commercial application to ESS in the future. Replacing LIBs by cheaper and safer aqueous batteries can even trigger a rapid growth of global market for ESS.
“This technology pertains to a customized safety strategy for aqueous rechargeable batteries, based on the built-in active safety mechanism, through which risk factors are automatically controlled.” said Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung of KIST. “Moreover, it can be applied to various industrial facilities where hydrogen gas leakage is one of major safety concerns (for instance, hydrogen gas station, nuclear power plant etc) to protect public safety.”
Original Article: A cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries: Aqueous rechargeable batteries
More from: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Aqueous rechargeable batteries
- Chinese scientists have found a way to make batteries more efficient — by using water
Chinese researchers have found a way to make aqueous batteries more energy-dense, by adding bromide to the electrolyte solution ...
- Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Scientists Develop New Low-Cost Battery With Over 8000 Uses
Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a battery constructed from zinc and lignin that can be recharged over 8,000 times. This innovation aims to offer an affordable and ...
- Swedish researchers develop eco-friendly and affordable battery for low-income countries
A battery made from zinc and lignin that can be used over 8,000 times has been developed by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, with a vision to provide a cheap and sustainable battery ...
- Scientists say new ‘water battery’ can hold more energy than lithium cells
The iodine and bromine-based aqueous battery showed an energy density of 1200 watt-hours per liter, surpassing the 700Wh/L of non-aqueous lithium batteries.
- Unlocking High Energy: New Aqueous Batteries Surpass Traditional Limits
Traditional lithium-ion batteries, while offering high energy density, have compromised safety because they use flammable organic electrolytes. Aqueous batteries use water as the solvent for ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Energy storage systems
- Battery fire at storage facility in Otay Mesa keeps reigniting
About 40 firefighters pouring water on batteries after the most recent flare-up at the Gateway Energy Storage Facility on Camino De La Fuente ...
- Caryl Auslander: Indiana needs affordable, reliable renewable energy to attract the 21st century gold rush
And distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, energy storage systems and smart thermostats can be linked together across neighborhoods into so-called “virtual power plants,” letting everyday ...
- Appalachian Power seeking proposals for renewable energy and battery energy storage resources
The company issued three Requests for Proposals on Friday for wind, solar, battery energy storage systems and renewable energy certificates.
- Debate continues on energy storage plans for Acton
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, was the latest official to weigh in on a debate over battery energy storage plans for Acton, including one he said would connect along the San Andreas Fault near a ...
- Firefighters Subdue Stubborn Blaze at Otay Mesa Energy-Storage Complex
The non-injury blaze erupted for unknown reasons late Wednesday afternoon at Gateway Energy Storage in the 600 block of Camino De La Fuente, sending thick smoke over the area, according to Cal Fire.