Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien in Austria) have successfully developed an innovative oxygen-ion battery, which is claimed to present several key advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries.
While lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electric cars and smartphones, they are not necessarily the best solution for all applications. The newly developed oxygen-ion battery, although having a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, can be regenerated, potentially allowing for an extremely long service life.
A prototype of the battery developed at the Vienna University of Technology
(Image Credit: TU Wien)
The oxygen-ion battery utilizes ceramic materials that are capable of absorbing and releasing doubly negatively charged oxygen ions. When an electric voltage is applied, these ions migrate from one ceramic material to another, and then back again, generating electric current.
The process is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries, but the materials involved offer some significant benefits. Ceramic materials are non-flammable, which greatly reduces the risk of fire accidents often associated with lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, they do not require rare or expensive elements, which are typically extracted in an environmentally harmful manner.
Replacement for rare elements
Ceramic materials used in oxygen-ion batteries can be easily adapted, allowing for the replacement of certain elements that are difficult to obtain with more readily available ones. The current prototype of the battery at the Vienna University of Technology still uses lanthanum, an element that is not very common, but researchers are already working on replacing it with a more affordable option. The oxygen-ion battery does not use cobalt or nickel, which are common in many other batteries.
Longevity
One of the most important advantages of this new battery technology is its potential longevity. Many batteries face issues with charge carriers losing their mobility over time, which can lead to a decrease in capacity and functionality. The oxygen-ion battery, on the other hand, can be easily regenerated by compensating for any oxygen loss with ambient air.
Oxygen-ion batteries could be an interesting alternative for the storage of energy from wind turbines or solar panels.
(Image Credit: Animaflora PicsStock via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci)
Although not suitable for smartphones or electric cars due to its lower energy density and operating temperatures between 200 and 400 °C, the oxygen-ion battery is highly promising for large-scale energy storage systems. The oxygen-ion battery could be an interesting alternative for the storage of energy from wind turbines or solar panels. It strengths will be particularly relevant when it comes to long service life, the possibility of producing large quantities without relying on rare elements, and lower risk of fire hazards.
If you are interested in more details about the underlying study, be sure to check out the paper published in the peer-reviewed science journal: Advanced Energy Materials, listed below.
Sources and further reading:
Rechargeable Oxide Ion Batteries Based on Mixed Conducting Oxide Electrodes (Advanced Energy Materials)
Dutch scientists found a clever way to potentially double the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries (Universal-Sci)
Difference between lithium and alkaline battery (Universal-Sci)
Why does smartphone battery life get worse and worse as it gets older? (Universal-Sci)
Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)
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