“A novel battery component that uses food-based acids found in sherbet and winemaking could make lithium-ion batteries more efficient, affordable and sustainable,” said the researchers in a press release.
Lithium-ion batteries, often found in smartphones and electric vehicles, are traditionally made with a graphite anode.
Professor Neeraj Sharma, who led the study, explained that the conventional method of producing graphite for batteries is quite unsustainable. “About 60% of the graphite is lost in the processing steps, which typically require high temperatures and very strong acids to reach the required purity… so it has a massive environmental impact,” he said, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
The researchers therefore set out to find an alternative to graphite. The new technology replaces the material with compounds derived from food acids like tartaric and malic acid.
A prototype battery cell has been built as part of the study.
The prototype, though similar in size to those in mobile phones, has been found to store more energy than traditional graphite-based batteries, potentially allowing devices to hold more charge and need charging less frequently.
Sharma and his team are now looking to upscale the batteries to make larger versions to increase energy capacity. They will also run more tests to ensure the batteries last through repeated use and varying temperatures.
Researchers at UNSW are not the first to attempt running vehicles on wine. King Charles III has previously revealed that his beloved Aston Martin car is run using wine and cheese byproducts.
Imports Of Lithium-Ion Cells & Battery Packs Rise In South Africa As Its Load-Shedding Crisis Grows
A lithium battery typically consists of the following key ingredients:
Primary Components:
1. Positive Electrode (Cathode): Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)
2. Negative Electrode (Anode): Graphite, lithium titanate (LTO), or silicon
3. Electrolyte: Lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents (e.g., ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate)
4. Separator: Polyethylene or polypropylene
Additional Materials:
1. Current Collectors: Aluminum (cathode) and copper (anode)
2. Binders: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
3. Conductive Additives: Carbon black or graphite
4. Fillers: Silica or alumina
5. Housing: Stainless steel, plastic, or aluminum
Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry:
LiCoO2 (cathode) + Li (anode) + Electrolyte → Charging/Discharging process
Variations:
Different lithium battery chemistries include:
1. Lithium-Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2)
2. Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide (NMC)
3. Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4)
4. Lithium-Titanate-Oxide (LTO)
5. Lithium-Manganese-Oxide (LMO)
Recycling:
Lithium battery recycling is essential for recovering valuable materials and reducing waste. Recyclable components include:
1. Lithium
2. Cobalt
3. Nickel
4. Graphite
5. Copper
Environmental Concerns:
1. Toxicity: Lithium, cobalt, and nickel can be hazardous if not handled properly.
2. Waste disposal: Improper disposal can lead to environmental pollution.
Innovations:
Researchers are exploring alternative materials and designs to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability:
1. Solid-state electrolytes
2. Lithium-air batteries
3. Sodium-ion batteries
4. Graphene-based electrodes
