A group of scientists from UNSW Sydney have developed completely organic proton batteries that seek to improve and overcome the limitations of lithium-ion batteries. By implementing protons instead of lithium, the solution becomes greener, safer and more efficient for energy storage.
The innovation behind proton batteries
The research team, led by Professor Chuan Zhao and PhD candidate Sicheng Wu, has created an organic battery that stores protons, by using a tetraaminobenzoquinone ( TABQ )-based material as the energy storage solution.
This material was developed in collaboration with ANSTO , and facilitates the rapid exchange of protons through hydrogen bonds, resulting in batteries with high energy density and powerful performance at sub-zero temperatures.
” Proton batteries can offer higher safety and efficiency as protons are smaller and cheaper than lithium, which also reduces the environmental impact ,” says Sicheng Wu. ” Using this material, we successfully constructed a fully organic proton battery that is effective at both room temperature and sub-zero freezing temperatures ,” adds Chuan Zhao.
The advantages of proton batteries
Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage market due to their high efficiency and practicality. However, they have significant limitations, such as limited access to resources, high production costs, and challenges with recycling.
Furthermore, protons have a smaller ionic radius and mass, allowing for rapid diffusion through battery materials. In addition, proton batteries have superior performance in cold temperatures, making them a suitable solution for a wider range of applications, from electric vehicles to renewable energy storage.
The project is still in the early stages of development, and with the tests carried out, the prototype battery has demonstrated a capacity to carry out 3,500 full charge cycles without losing performance. In addition, the battery uses organic materials and water as electrolyte, making it much more stable, lighter and safer.
” Lithium-ion batteries are already becoming a dominant product in energy storage applications, but they have many limitations ,” concludes Sicheng Wu. Proton batteries have the potential to replace lithium batteries in a variety of applications, from portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.
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Source and photo: UNSW Sydney
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