In a recent breakthrough, scientists from George Washington University in the United States have introduced a promising new type of high-energy battery known as the "melt-air battery." This innovation stands out for its remarkable energy storage capacity and the ability to be recharged—something that sets it apart from many existing high-energy batteries. Although the current version operates at elevated temperatures, researchers are actively working on refining its performance, aiming to make it a more viable option for electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage.
The findings were published in the latest issue of *Energy and Environmental Science*, highlighting the potential of this technology. According to Stuart Lichter, one of the researchers involved, this is the first rechargeable battery that uses oxygen from the air along with multi-electron storage molecules to store electrical energy. While molten sulfur batteries have been used in some applications, they haven't utilized air in the same way. The advantage of using air is that it doesn’t add weight to the battery, unlike sulfur, which is twice as heavy.
One of the key features of the melt-air battery is its use of multi-electron storage molecules, which can hold multiple electrons per molecule. This makes it significantly more efficient than traditional lithium-ion batteries, which only store a single electron per molecule. For comparison, the VB2-air battery currently holds the record for energy density, storing 11 electrons per molecule, but it isn’t rechargeable.
The secret to the battery’s rechargeability lies in its molten electrolyte, which is highly reactive and plays a crucial role in the charging process. During discharge, the iron-oxygen mixture forms iron oxide, while during charging, the iron oxide is converted back into metallic iron, releasing oxygen into the air.
What makes this battery particularly appealing is its combination of high energy storage and rechargeability. Unlike other systems, it uses air as the cathode material without the need for additional catalysts or membranes. All components are in a molten state, with the samples operating between 700°C and 800°C. Though high temperatures may seem unusual, they are not a barrier, as similar high-temperature batteries have already been successfully used in electric vehicles.
Researchers tested various materials, including iron, carbon, and VB2, as electrolytes, achieving energy densities of 10,000, 19,000, and 27,000 MWh/liter, respectively. The differences in performance are largely due to the number of electrons each molecule can store: 3 for iron, 4 for carbon, and 11 for VB2. In contrast, lithium-air batteries, which store only one electron per molecule, have a much lower energy density of around 6,200 watt-hours per liter.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on enhancing the battery's properties, such as lowering the melting point of the electrolyte, increasing voltage, and improving energy efficiency. Licht noted that the current discharge current is sufficient to generate high voltage, and by increasing the surface area where air interacts with the molten salt, even higher voltages could be achieved. This ongoing research suggests that melt-air batteries could play a significant role in the future of energy storage.
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