Conventional lithium–ion batteries are used in cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. With rising energy needs and critical minerals mining being highly resource-intensive, innovative companies are looking for environmentally friendly ways to meet our future battery needs.. Aqueous batteries, which use water-based electrolytes instead of organic solvents, offer an innovative and sustainable alternative to traditional batteries sourced from lithium.
Unfortunately, their widespread adoption has been limited by persistent voltage limitations that undercut their competition in the battery storage market. Now, researchers from the University of Maryland have achieved a significant breakthrough in the performance of water-based battery technology by introducing a novel battery electrolyte.
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According to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology, the new electrolyte enables the battery prototype to operate over a wider voltage range, allowing the system to handle more energy without the water-based components breaking down. Specifically, the system extends the reduction potential from 1.3 to 0.0 volts. A test version of the improved battery remained stable through 2,000 charge-discharge cycles, suggesting strong durability potential in real-world conditions.
To date, aqueous battery systems have been hindered by their narrow electrochemical windows, restricting their usage to low-energy applications. This is because aqueous (water-based) electrolytes decompose into their base components, hydrogen and oxygen, when the voltage exceeds a certain threshold (typically around 1.23 volts). This process is known as water electrolysis, and is the reason aqueous batteries have traditionally been unable to operate at higher voltages and power high-energy applications, such as large-scale energy storage systems for the electrical grid.
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The new electrolyte design developed by the University of Maryland team is not only more sustainable, but also safer. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, aqueous batteries are non-flammable, making them better suited in sectors where safety is paramount, like aviation and electric vehicles. This is particularly significant given that a study identified leakage, fire, and explosion as the three primary types of accidents involving lithium-based batteries.
Transitioning towards a more sustainable battery system also reduces the risk of environmental toxicity, since water-based electrolytes are less chemically reactive than the organic solvents used in lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, aqueous batteries contain far fewer hazardous materials or heavy metals such as cobalt or nickel, reducing our dependence on geopolitical adversaries like China, which manufactures a record 77% of the world’s lithium batteries.
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Hard rock mining–– the primary method for procuring lithium–– emits approximately 15 metric tons of CO2 for each ton of lithium extracted. As industries look to decarbonize their energy infrastructure and achieve greater integration of renewables into their supply chains, long-life, eco-friendly battery storage solutions that generate less waste could soon power a wide range of everyday applications, from electric aircraft to the nation’s power grid.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.