A team of researchers from the Uppsala University has worked on a new type of experimental proton battery. For their project, they used only organic components so that it will be more environment-friendly. The organic proton battery can be charged in a couple of minutes and function at very low temperatures.
Organic Proton Battery Project Released
The researchers planned to develop organic batteries using only elements found in nature. The used an active material from a group of organic compounds known as quinones. The electrodes were made of solid polymers of particular quinones. Then, they were put in an acidic, watery solution similar to the electrolyte.
The solution allowed the electrons to move back and forth between the anode and the cathode. Such a mechanism resembles the one from the lithium-ion batteries, except this method commutes hydrogen ions around.
The prototype organic proton battery is quick to charge, and it can withstand 500 charge/discharge cycles. It is also safer than others because it won’t catch fire or explode. Most significantly, it can keep working at very low temperatures.
More About The Organic Proton Battery
Christian Strietzel, the first author of the research, stated: “We have demonstrated that this organic proton battery retains properties such as capacity down to as low as -24 degrees Celsius.”
Most batteries, such as the lithium-ion ones, require a lot of work. They are made with metals that must be mined and refined. Such a thing harms the environment a lot. And then there’s the issue with the batteries’ disposal. You’ll never know the safest way to do it.
The organic proton battery still needs further development before it becomes a household item. The team of researchers stated that the design is ideal evidence of a concept, but optimization could enhance the capacity and voltage, and utilizing other quinones might help a lot.
