Power at sea: Towards high-performance seawater batteries
Scientists develop an efficient synthesis route to produce a novel co-
doped anode material for rechargeable seawater batteries

Date:
January 31, 2022
Source:
National Korea Maritime and Ocean University
Summary:
Despite the many potential applications of seawater batteries
(SWBs), the limited performance of available materials
has hindered their commercialization. To tackle this issue,
scientists have developed a novel co-doped carbon material for
the anode of SWBs. Their straightforward synthesis route and the
high performance of the developed anode material will pave the
way for the widespread adoption of SWBs, which are safer and less
expensive than lithium-ion batteries.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Despite the many potential applications of seawater batteries (SWBs),
the limited performance of available materials has hindered their commercialization. To tackle this issue, scientists have developed a novel
co- doped carbon material for the anode of SWBs. Their straightforward synthesis route and the high performance of the developed anode material
will pave the way for the widespread adoption of SWBs, which are safer
and less expensive than lithium-ion batteries.


========================================================================== Lithium-ion batteries have taken the world by storm thanks to their
remarkable properties. However, the scarcity and high cost of lithium has
led researchers to look for alternative types of rechargeable batteries
made using more abundant materials, such as sodium. One particularly
promising type of sodium- based battery is seawater batteries (SWBs),
which use seawater as the cathode.

Though SWBs are environmentally benign and naturally firesafe, the
development of high-performance anode materials at a reasonable cost
remains a major bottleneck that prevents commercialization. Traditional carbon-based materials are an attractive and cost-efficient option,
but they have to be co-doped with multiple elements, such as nitrogen
(N) and sulfur (S), to boost their performance up to par. Unfortunately, currently known synthesis routes for co- doping are complex, potentially dangerous, and don't even yield acceptable doping levels.

In a recent study, a team of scientists from Korea Maritime and Ocean University led by Associate Professor Jun Kang have found a way out of
this conundrum. Their paper, which was made available online on December
22, 2021 and published in Volume 189 of Carbonon April 15, 2022, describes
a novel synthesis route to obtain N/S co-doped carbon for SWB anodes.

Termed 'plasma in liquid,' their procedure involves preparing a mixture
of precursors containing carbon, N, and S and discharging plasma into
the solution. The result is a material with high doping levels of N and
S with a structural backbone of carbon black. As proved through various experiments, this material showed great potential for SWBs, as Dr. Kang remarks: "The co- doped anode material we prepared exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance in SWBs, with a cycling life of more than
1500 cycles at a current density of 10 A/g." The potential maritime applications of SWBs are many, since they can be safely operated while completely submerged in seawater. They can be used to supply emergency
power in coastal nuclear power plants, which is difficult when using conventional diesel generators in the event of a disastrous tsunami.

Additionally, they can be installed on buoys to aid in navigation and
fishing.

Perhaps most importantly, SWBs could be literally life-saving,
as Dr. Kang explains: "SWBs can be installed as a power source for
salvage equipment on passenger ships. They would not only supply
a higher energy density than conventional primary batteries, but
also enable stable operation in water, thereby increasing survival probabilities." Overall, this novel synthesis method for co-doped carbon anodes might just be the answer we need to make SWBs reach new heights! ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by National_Korea_Maritime_and_Ocean_University. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Hyeon-Su Yang, Mun-Won Park, Kwang-Ho Kim, Oi Lun Li, Tae-In
Jeon, Jun
Kang. Facile in situ synthesis of dual-heteroatom-doped high-rate
capability carbon anode for rechargeable seawater-batteries. Carbon,
2022; 189: 251 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.12.066 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220131153302.htm

--- up 8 weeks, 2 days, 7 hours, 13 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)