HYDERABAD: Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) researchers have developed an alternative for lithium-ion batteries — a dual carbon battery. It is more sustainable and low cost. This battery may find potential use in high-voltage applications, sophisticated battery-run medical devices, regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles and stationary grids.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are projected to meet future electric mobility, electric aviation and stationary grid energy storage targets within 2030. However, LIBs need toxic and costly metals.
“The advantage of these batteries is that they don’t use any toxic, heavy and costly metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese as a current collector. These metals are not easily available in India. The batteries use carbon as an active material thereby making it 25% cheaper and lighter,” said Surendra Kumar Martha, associate professor, department of chemistry and lead investigator of research team.
In the dual carbon battery, developed by IIT-H, the researchers have utilised self-standing carbon fiber mats as both electrodes (cathode and anode). The fabricated 5.0 voltage (nominal voltage 4.6 V) cell provides an energy density of approximately 100-watt hour per kilogramme and could be extended up to 150-watt hour per kg with further modifications.
“The study will be extrapolated to push the energy density limits further and their broad vision includes introducing the dual carbon system as a cheaper LIB alternative to the Indian market,” said Martha.
The research was supported by Naval Research Board (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and was recently published in ‘Advanced Energy Material’, a peer-reviewed journal.