According to a recent report from a physicist's organization network, scientists at George Washington University in the United States have developed a groundbreaking high-energy battery known as the "melt-air battery." This new technology is among the most energy-dense batteries ever created. Unlike traditional high-energy batteries, this one can be recharged, offering a significant advantage for long-term energy storage solutions. While the current prototype operates at high temperatures, researchers are actively working on optimizing its performance, aiming to make it more viable for use in electric vehicles and power grid systems. The findings were recently published in the journal "Energy and Environmental Science."
"This is the first rechargeable melt-air battery that uses oxygen from the air along with multi-electron storage molecules to store electrical energy," said Stuart Licht, a researcher at the university. "While molten sulfur batteries have been used in electric vehicles and on the grid, none have used air as a cathode material. Sulfur is twice as heavy as oxygen, so using air doesn't add extra weight to the battery," he added.
A key feature of the melt-air battery is its use of multi-electron storage molecules, which can hold multiple electrons per molecule. This gives it a major edge over conventional lithium-ion batteries, which only store one electron per molecule. Currently, the VB2 (air boride)-air battery holds the record for energy density, storing 11 electrons per molecule. However, unlike the melt-air battery, these high-capacity batteries are not rechargeable.
Licht explained that the molten electrolyte is essential for making the battery rechargeable. The highly reactive electrolyte enables the battery to "charge" through a unique electrolytic splitting reaction. When the iron-based melt-air battery discharges, it forms an iron-oxygen compound. During charging, this compound is converted back into metallic iron, releasing oxygen into the air in the process.
Melt-air batteries combine high energy storage capacity with the ability to be recharged. They use oxygen from the air as the cathode material without the need for external catalysts or membranes. Each type of battery requires a different molten electrolyte, but all operate at high temperatures—typically between 700°C and 800°C. "High-temperature batteries aren't common, but they're not a problem. Lower-capacity molten sulfur batteries have already been used in electric vehicles without any issues," Licht noted.
The team also tested different materials as electrolytes, including iron, carbon, and VB2, achieving energy densities of 10,000, 19,000, and 27,000 MWh/liter, respectively. These differences are due to the number of electrons each molecule can store: iron stores 3, carbon stores 4, and VB2 stores 11. In contrast, lithium-air batteries only manage about 6,200 watt-hours per liter because they store just one electron per molecule.
The combination of high energy storage and rechargeability makes melt-air batteries a promising option for future energy storage applications. Researchers are now focusing on improving other aspects of the battery, such as lowering the melting point of the electrolyte, increasing voltage, and improving energy efficiency. "The discharge current at the melt-air electrode is sufficient to generate high voltage," Licht said. "If we increase the surface area between circulating air and molten salt, we can further boost the voltage." (Chang Lijun)
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