Scientists have developed a prototype lithium-ion battery with water as electrolyte
A research team from Yokohama State University (Japan) presented to the public a prototype of a lithium-ion battery that uses ordinary water as an electrolyte. It is about this development and its prospects in the future that will be discussed in the current material.
Why do lithium-ion batteries constantly want to upgrade?
Now it is very difficult to find an electrical appliance that does not use batteries. Classic lithium-ion batteries have excellent capacity and are able to withstand a large number of discharge / charge cycles with minimal loss of original capacity.
But classic batteries have one significant drawback. If the battery case is damaged, the electrolyte used (made from organic solvents) is highly flammable.
So Japanese scientists decided to eliminate this obvious drawback by replacing the electrolyte with ordinary water. And that's what they did in the end.
What a prototype lithium-ion battery with water as an electrolyte is capable of
In the course of numerous experiments, Japanese engineers have established that the use of molybdenum oxide is an inorganic compound involving oxygen in the negative electrode guarantees a high enough level of productivity, quite sufficient for commercial application.
In order to completely eliminate the very possibility of fire, the engineers decided to use ordinary water as the electrolyte. And to maintain efficiency, we also had to work on the materials of the electrodes.
The result is a working prototype of a lithium-ion battery. Further tests showed that after 2000 charge / discharge cycles, the prototype's capacity was reduced by only 30% of its original capacity.
It seems to be just the perfect lithium-ion battery. But it only has one drawback - the specific gravity of the energy and the operating voltage are almost two times lower than that of classic lithium-ion batteries.
Where can such batteries be used?
Scientists suggest that their batteries with water as an electrolyte may well find full-fledged commercial applications. So it is assumed that such batteries can be used in storage systems of "green" energy sources.
Also, such batteries may well be used in public electric transport and other infrastructure, which does not require the creation of high voltage and peak operation.
Well, we will wait for the release of lithium-ion batteries with water as an electrolyte to the wide market. If you liked the material, then also do not forget to rate it and subscribe to the channel. Thank you for your attention!