- Researchers have come up with an electrolyte that is 100% cheaper than current electrolytes.
- The microemulsion electrolyte is less toxic and encourages recycling and circularity.
Professor Thomas Nann of the University of Newcastle, Australia and two former students has launched a startup, AllegroEnergy, to commercialise their microemulsion battery electrolyte technology. Electrolytes allow ions to pass between anode and cathode conductors in batteries and are usually water or organic solvent-based. Both of these media come with their own challenges. Organic solvents, despite having good electrical stability, are expensive and could be toxic. Water-based solvents are only stable up until 1.23 volts.
The researchers came up with the idea of combining both electrolytes components to form a compound electrolyte a microemulsion. Microemulsions are formed by combining water molecules with hydrophobic liquids with a surfactant, allowing the two normally repellent solvents to bond. Professor Nam notes that this solution is thermodynamically stable and can overcome the 1.23v barrier for water, making them useable in a battery.
Electrolytes represent 70 per cent of the costs of supercapacitors – energy storage form on which Allegro plans to focus on. According to Professor Nam, while “one litre or kilogram of the current electrolyte costs about US$10, Allegro’s costs 10 cents, cheaper than a factor of 100”. Allegro Energy believes its electrolyte will reduce both the cost of energy storage systems and the toxic components of batteries, making them easier to recycle and ensuring increased circularity.