LSU researchers have developed a new type of battery that does not rely on metals such as lithium, which are commonly used in current battery technology. The research team, led by Ying (Jane) Wang, an associate professor in the LSU College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, worked with colleagues at the LSU AgCenter to design and test two versions of these metal-free batteries.
The motivation for this work comes from concerns about the environmental impacts associated with lithium-ion batteries. Lithium mining and processing require toxic chemicals and significant water resources. When disposed of improperly, these batteries can contaminate drinking water supplies and harm wildlife.
To address these issues, the LSU team created batteries using organic electrodes and a water-based electrolyte. These designs eliminate the need for flammable electrolytes as well as scarce or toxic metals.
The batteries use ammonium-ion chemistry. Ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), formed by adding a proton to ammonia, serve as lightweight and abundant charge carriers. According to the researchers, ammonium can function similarly to liquid metal within the battery system.
For their prototype, they used perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), an organic red dye molecule, as the anode material. During operation, ammonium ions move from this anode to a carbon-based polymer cathode to generate electric current.
Testing showed that these metal-free batteries could operate reliably over multiple cycles and were able to power small devices such as digital thermometers and LED lights.
“This type of battery is inherently lightweight and potentially flexible, which opens the door to applications in wearable electronics and medical devices where safety is critical,” Wang said.
Wang also noted: “This research could contribute to sustainable energy storage solutions for consumer electronics, medical devices, and large-scale systems where fire risk and material scarcity are major concerns.”
The findings suggest that aqueous metal-free batteries may offer advantages in terms of safety, environmental impact, and sustainability while still providing practical performance levels for various applications.
Further details on this research can be found in their published paper: A totally metal-free battery using organic electrodes in an aqueous electrolyte
