Research into battery technology for energy storage and power generation – EQ Mag Pro
A Japanese based company, Green Science Alliance, is developing a next-generation battery technology that is purportedly more durable and affordable than the current lithium-ion battery.
The production of rechargeable batteries is critical for energy storage, power generation and electric vehicles. As such, Dr Ryohei Mori and Hiromichi Itani have developed an actual aluminum Sulphur battery pouch cell with an aluminum anode, ionic liquid or deep eutectic solvent-based electrolyte and carbon-Sulphur composite cathode.
Previously researching battery technology, Mori and Itani had developed a rechargeable aluminum air battery; however, due to its complicated structure and unstable aluminum reduction reaction of aluminum ion to aluminum metal in the electrolyte, it was difficult to achieve commercialization.
Disadvantages for the pouch cell
Through various tests, the researchers discovered that the pouch cell battery capacity was approximately 950 mAhg-1 at the beginning, but deteriorated to 200 mAhg-1 after 100 cycles, under 0.025 degrees Celcius at room temperature. This meant the cyclability of the battery needed to be improved. In addition, the cell voltage and applied current were lower than that of a lithium-ion battery.
Advantages for the pouch cell
The open-circuit voltage of the aluminum Sulphur battery pouch cell was approximately 0.9V. But the cell capacity for the pouch cell proves to be larger, safer and cheaper than a lithium-ion battery. Academia and research institutes around the world have conducted research around aluminum ion batteries but this is the first time where the aluminum Sulphur battery pouch cell is ready for commercialization.
At the same time, Green Science Alliance is carrying out research to gain insights into the lithium-Sulphur battery which has positively influenced the development of aluminum Sulphur batteries. However, it will be difficult to look at the possibility of applying an aluminum Sulphur battery to EVs (electric vehicles) because it cannot accept a high current at single time.
However, the benefit of an aluminum Sulphur battery if applied to an EV is that it can work for a long time which is a result of the overall cell capacity being much larger than lithium-ion batteries. The pouch cell doesn’t require a high electrical current, it lasts a long time and it can also be used for application to sensors or IT which is a big business opportunity.
Technology review: Aluminum Sulphur battery cells vs. lithium ion battery cells
According to Green Science Alliance, the aluminum Sulphur battery cell has more features and advantages than a lithium-ion battery cell listing four features:
1. Theoretical capacity of aluminum Sulphur battery is 1675 Wh/Kg (based on Sulphur content) which is 7-8 times higher than that of a lithium-ion battery which has 200 – 243Wh/kg.
2. Compared to lithium which is costly and scarce, aluminum is an abundant, rich natural resource and the most recycled metal on earth which makes it cheaper and safer to produce
3. Lithium-ion batteries are flammable and can be dangerous. In contrast, aluminum Sulphur batteries are chemically stable, non-toxic and not flammable including all battery components.
4. Since ionic liquid or deep eutectic solvent is used as an electrolyte, a prepared aluminum Sulphur battery can be used up to 300 Celsius degrees.
The two researchers will keep improving cell capacity, cyclability as well as start sending out samples to companies and investors.
Source: esi-africa
