Potassium oxide battery or electric energy storage for a long time can be realized

Recently, the Ohio state university researchers published in the journal battery and super capacitor, a study, this paper expounds the a more efficient and more reliable potassium oxide batteries, this could be the key to solve grid storage for a long time.

the study around the battery cathode structure, cathode will chemical reaction produces the energy stored in the metal oxygen or metal air batteries. , the researchers said the findings can be cheaper, more efficient energy storage, making renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power grid more viable option.

　　“ If you want to choose a completely for the grid renewable sources of energy, so you need to economy of energy storage device, can store the extra power. When you don't need electricity, can also be extra electricity went out. ” Study co-author, Ohio state university professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering sundae said, & other; Such technology is the key, because it is very cheap, do not use any foreign material, and can be made in any place, promote the local economy. ”

in order to make renewable energy as a regional power grid in the reliable power supply, energy storage facilities are needed to collect extra electricity they produce. Companies from all over the world, scientists and governments are studying energy storage solutions, from the lithium ion battery, Many electric cars using larger version) The giant cell ( Using vanadium metal to make big box stores size) 。

potassium oxide battery available since 2013, has been a kind of potential energy storage alternatives. Research indicates that the battery more efficient oxygen than lithium batteries, the energy stored is twice the current lithium ion battery. Potassium oxide batteries, however, has not been widely used in energy storage is the main cause, they have not enough life to save costs.

when the team is trying to build a feasible potassium oxide batteries, they met an obstacle: the battery every charge degradation, not last 5 ~ 10 charge cycle, far cannot make batteries a economic and effective energy storage solutions. This degradation because of oxygen to seep in battery anode, and cause the anode breakdown, make the battery itself unable to charge.

SAN DE ellison laboratory PhD student Paul & middot; Gilmore start adding polymer cathode, try to whether can protect the anode to avoid being hurt by the oxygen. He thinks, if found a way to do this, will prolong the life of potassium oxide battery. The results prove that he is right: the team to realize the expansion of the polymer plays an vital role in the performance.

from 2011 to 2013, we have the second drastic adjustment, adjustment range is very large. Global capacity growth dropped to 73% in 2011, only 6% in 2012. Polysilicon price down from $90 / kg to $15.

this kind of design is a bit like a person's lungs: air through fibrous carbon layer into the battery, and then in the second floor of the porous is a bit poor, finally reached the third ─ ─ there is almost no porosity. The third layer made of conductive polymers, allowing potassium ions across the cathode, but limits the molecular oxygen into the anode. This design means batteries can be charged at least 125 times ─ ─ the potassium oxide battery life is using low cost electrolyte ShiYanChang than before more than 12 times.

although the team also doesn't prove that the battery can be produced according to the size of grid energy storage required, but it certainly shows the potential. Gilmore said: & other; Oxygen battery has higher energy density, which means that they can improve the range of electric vehicles and battery life of portable electronic devices. But before the potassium oxide battery is suitable for these applications, must also overcome other challenges. ”