Scientists have developed a safe, economical, water-based rechargeable battery that solves the limitations of lithium-ion batteries currently used in energy storage systems (ESS). Their innovation lies in a complex catalyst consisting of manganese dioxide and palladium that converts dangerous hydrogen into water while maintaining safety and performance. This breakthrough opens the door to the commercialization of these batteries in ESS and other industries, providing a more economical and safer alternative to existing technologies.
This summer, the Earth is experiencing extreme weather patterns, including severe heat waves and heavy rainfall. In these challenging times, it is more urgent than ever to adopt renewable energy and strengthen associated infrastructure as a strategy to protect the planet. However, due to the unavoidability of renewable energy generation, this approach faces significant challenges as it relies on uncertain variables, such as unstable weather conditions.
As a result, there is a growing demand for energy storage systems (ESS) that can store and ** electricity when needed, but the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) currently used in ESS are not only **expensive, but also prone to fires, so there is an urgent need to develop cheaper and safer alternatives.
An innovative technology that safely converts hydrogen into water improves battery safety. This advancement paves the way for the commercialization of more economical and safer water-based rechargeable batteries.
The reason for the production and accumulation of hydrogen inside the battery in a water-rechargeable battery. Source**: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Research progress of water-based rechargeable batteries
A research team led by Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung of the Energy Storage Research Center of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a highly safe water-based rechargeable battery that can provide a timely alternative that meets cost and safety needs.
Despite the lower energy density achievable, water-based rechargeable batteries have significant economic advantages because their raw material costs are much lower than those of LIBs. However, the hydrogen produced by the splitting of parasitic water causes a gradual increase in internal pressure and eventually depletes the electrolyte, which poses a great threat to the safety of batteries and makes commercialization difficult.
Proposed strategy to ensure the safety of water-based rechargeable batteries through water regeneration methods. Source**: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Overcoming safety challenges in battery technology
Until now, researchers have often tried to circumvent this problem by installing a protective layer of the surface to minimize the contact area between the metal anode and the electrolyte. However, in most cases, corrosion of the metal anode and the consequent decomposition of water in the electrolyte are unavoidable, and the continuous accumulation of hydrogen can create potential ** in long-term operation.
The role of composite catalysts in activating chemical reactions of water regeneration. Source**: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
To address this critical question, the research team developed a composite catalyst composed of manganese dioxide and palladium, which is able to automatically convert the hydrogen produced inside the battery into water, thereby ensuring the performance and safety of the battery.
Under normal conditions, manganese dioxide does not react with hydrogen, but when a small amount of palladium is added, hydrogen is easily absorbed by the catalyst and regenerated into water. In the prototype battery, which was loaded with a newly developed catalyst, the internal pressure of the cell was kept well below the safe limit, and no electrolyte depletion was observed.
Impact on future energy storage
The results of this research effectively address one of the most worrisome safety concerns in water batteries, taking a big step forward for the commercial application of ESS in the future. Replacing lithium batteries with cheaper and safer water batteries could even trigger rapid growth in the global ESS market.
Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said"This technology is based on a built-in active safety mechanism that tailors a safety strategy for water-based rechargeable batteries, through which risk factors are automatically controlled. In addition, it can also be applied to various industrial facilities (such as hydrogen plants, nuclear power plants, etc.) where hydrogen leakage is one of the main safety issues to protect public safety. "
Compilation**: scitechdaily