New All-Liquid Metal Batteries Could Work at Room Temperature

Liquid batteries and solid batteries have their advantages and disadvantages, but the research team from the University of Texas at Austin claims to have found new all-liquid metal batteries that combine the benefits of both. The research team said that this is the first fully liquid metal battery that could work at room temperature and that the performance was significantly better than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

The electrodes of common all-liquid metal batteries are made of liquid metal. Compared with solid-state batteries, the advantage is that dendrites are not formed, thereby damaging the battery components. And this battery is very easy to scale up, only need to add more liquid in a larger jar.

new room-temperature liquid-metal batteries image

But a drawback of liquid metal batteries is temperature. In order to keep the metal liquid, most of these batteries need to be heated to at least 240°C (464°F). Doing this will make the battery bulky and consume energy.

In the latest research, the research team discovered an alloy that can remain liquid at room temperature. They identified two well-working alloys, using sodium-potassium alloy as the anode and argon alloys as cathodes. The batteries are able to remain liquid at temperatures of 20 degrees C (68 degrees F), which the team says is the minimum operating temperature of all fully liquid metal batteries.

The two liquid metal electrodes are separated by an organic electrolyte in the middle, which is also liquid. The team said that the new battery can be charged and discharged several times faster than lithium-ion batteries, and has high energy and power density. The team said that with the elimination of temperature barriers, new liquid metal batteries may start to be used to power electronic products of all sizes, from small wearable devices to grid-scale energy storage systems.

two liquid metal electrodes are separated by the organic electrolyte image

The lead author of the study, Yu Ding, said, "this battery offers all the benefits of solid and liquid - including more energy, greater stability, and flexibility - without their own disadvantages, while also saving energy."

Nevertheless, for the new room temperature all-liquid metal batteries there is still much room for improvement. Radon is a bit expensive, so the team plans to study alloys made from other more common materials. Some of these other materials may also allow batteries to work at lower temperatures. More conductive electrolytes can also help increase power output.

 

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