Breakthrough proton battery beats lithium limit, boasts 3,500 charging cycles
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have achieved a breakthrough in energy storage technology by developing a battery that utilizes protons instead of lithium.
The team created the rechargeable proton battery using a novel organic material called tetraamino-benzoquinone (TABQ), which facilitates the rapid movement of protons, enabling efficient energy storage.
“We have developed a novel, high-capacity small-molecule material for proton storage,” said Professor Chuan Zhao from UNSW in a press release.
The battery offers quick energy storage, extended cycle life, and efficient operation even in sub-zero temperatures.
“Combined with a TCBQ cathode, the all-organic battery offers long cycle life (3500 cycles of fully charging, and then fully draining the battery), high capacity, and good performance in cold conditions, making it a promising step for renewable energy storage,” highlighted the researchers.This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize energy storage, particularly for applications such as grid-scale storage and electric vehicles.
The battery offers quick energy storage, extended cycle life, and efficient operation even in sub-zero temperature
Proton-based solution to lithium-ion challenges
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronics and electric vehicles.
“These batteries, which create an electric charge by transferring lithium ions between the anode and cathode, are the most widespread portable energy storage solutions,” added the researchers.
However, their reliance on lithium, a finite resource, raises concerns about its long-term availability and environmental impact.
“Lithium is a finite resource that is not evenly distributed on earth, so some countries may not have access to low cost lithium sources. Lithium batteries also have very big challenges regarding fast-charging applications, safety, and they have low efficiency in cold temperature,” remarked Sicheng Wu, a PhD candidate from the School of Chemistry.
Proton batteries offer a compelling alternative. They utilize protons, which are abundant and environmentally benign.Protons also possess the smallest ionic radius and mass among all elements, enabling faster diffusion and higher energy density. Furthermore, proton batteries are inherently safer due to their non-flammable electrolytes.
Proton battery shows superior capabilities
The UNSW team’s proton battery utilizes the TABQ material as the anode. This material exhibits superior proton storage capabilities and a lower redox potential range compared to previous organic materials.
These properties contribute to the battery’s high capacity and long cycle life. In tests, the prototype proton battery demonstrated impressive performance. It achieved a long cycle life of 3500 cycles.
It also exhibited high capacity and maintained its performance even in cold temperatures.
“Proton batteries are gaining attention as an innovative and sustainable alternative in the energy field, and have been hailed as one of the potential solutions to next-generation energy storage devices,” concluded the press release. These characteristics make the proton battery a strong contender for various applications, including grid-scale energy storage. Grid-scale storage is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid, as it allows for the storage of excess energy generated during peak production periods and its release during periods of high demand.。
These characteristics make the proton battery a strong contender for various applications, including grid-scale energy storage.Grid-scale storage is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into thepower grid, as it allows for the storage of excess energy generated duringpeak production periods and its release during periods of high demand.d
These characteristics make the proton battery a strong contender for various applications, including grid-scale energy storage.Grid-scale storage is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid, as it allows for the storage of excess energy generated during peak production periods and its release during periods of high demand.
Grid-scale storage is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid, as it allows for the storage of excess energy generated during peak production periods and its release during periods of high demand.
Further refinement for hydrogen industry
While the current prototype demonstrates the potential of proton batteries, the research team aims to further refine and improve its performance.
Future research will focus on developing new organic materials with higher redox potential ranges to increase the battery’s output voltage.Professor Zhao is also excited about the broader implications of their research.”We can actually study how this type of organic molecule can be used for a broad range of applications, such as for hydrogen storage.”The ability to store protons efficiently could revolutionize the hydrogen industry.Hydrogen is a clean and sustainable energy carrier, but its storage and transportation have been major challenges. By developing materials that can effectively store protons, hydrogen can be more easily and safely transported and utilized.