Advancement in Battery Technology by Korean Researchers: A Safer, More Affordable Option to Lithium-Ion Batteries

In a significant development, a team of scientists has formulated a novel and economical type of aqueous rechargeable battery. This innovation aims to overcome the challenges associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries commonly used in energy storage systems (ESS). The core of this breakthrough is a unique composite catalyst, combining manganese dioxide and palladium. This catalyst effectively neutralizes hazardous hydrogen gas by converting it into water, thereby enhancing both the safety and efficiency of the battery. This development holds great promise for the commercial application of these batteries in ESS and various other sectors, presenting a viable, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to current technologies.

This new technology facilitates the secure transformation of hydrogen gas into water, significantly improving battery safety. It marks a critical step towards the commercialization of these more economical and secure aqueous rechargeable batteries.

With the Earth currently experiencing extreme weather conditions, including severe heatwaves and heavy rainfall, the urgency for adopting renewable energy sources and improving related infrastructure has become paramount. This is a vital strategy in preserving our planet during these challenging environmental conditions. However, the unpredictable nature of electricity generation from renewable sources, often dependent on variable weather conditions, poses a substantial challenge.

Consequently, there is a growing demand for energy storage systems (ESS) that can reliably store and supply electricity as required. However, the current use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in ESS, while effective, comes with high costs and potential fire hazards, necessitating the development of more affordable and safer alternatives.

The recent breakthrough in aqueous rechargeable batteries has been led by Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung and his team at the Energy Storage Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). They have successfully created a highly safe aqueous rechargeable battery that addresses both cost and safety concerns effectively.

Aqueous rechargeable batteries, despite their lower energy density compared to LIBs, offer significant economic benefits due to the lower cost of raw materials. However, the generation of hydrogen gas from water decomposition has been a persistent issue, causing a gradual increase in internal pressure and eventual electrolyte depletion, thereby posing a significant safety risk and hindering commercialization.

To address this safety challenge, previous attempts involved the use of a surface protection layer to reduce the interaction between the metal anode and the electrolyte. However, corrosion of the metal anode and consequent water decomposition in the electrolyte usually result in the continuous build-up of hydrogen gas, which could lead to potential explosions during long-term use.

To counter this critical issue, the research team introduced a composite catalyst composed of manganese dioxide and palladium. This catalyst efficiently converts hydrogen gas produced within the battery cell back into water, thereby ensuring the cell’s performance and safety. In normal conditions, manganese dioxide does not react with hydrogen gas. However, the addition of a small amount of palladium changes this, allowing the catalysts to absorb hydrogen and convert it back into water. In tests with a prototype cell equipped with the new catalysts, the internal pressure remained within safe limits, and no depletion of the electrolyte was observed.

The outcomes of this research effectively address a major safety concern in aqueous batteries and represent a significant step towards their future commercial application in ESS. Substituting LIBs with these more affordable and safer aqueous batteries could even lead to a surge in the global ESS market.

Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung of KIST commented, “This technology represents a tailored safety approach for aqueous rechargeable batteries, incorporating an active safety mechanism that automatically regulates risk factors.” He further added that this approach could be applied in various industrial contexts where hydrogen gas leakage is a primary safety concern, such as hydrogen gas stations and nuclear power plants, thereby enhancing public safety.

This study, titled “Highly safe aqueous rechargeable batteries via electrolyte regeneration using Pd–MnO2 catalytic cycle” by Hyun-gi Jo and colleagues, was published on 14 July 2023 in Energy Storage Materials and received funding from the Ministry of Science and ICT.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2023.102881

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More about Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries

• Energy Storage Materials Journal
• Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
• Renewable Energy Storage Solutions
• Dr. Oh, Si Hyoung’s Research Profile
• Advancements in Battery Technology
• Safety Mechanisms in Battery Technology
• Economic Benefits of Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries
• Ministry of Science and ICT Funding Information