Composite Alkaline Battery Electrolyte with Improved Hydroxide-Ion Transport Number

Although the generation of electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind offers enormous potential for meeting future energy demands, these sources are intermittent. Therefore, an efficient electrical energy storage system is required to ensure that the electricity is reliably available 24 hours a day, as needed for commercial and residential grid applications. Rechargeable alkaline batteries offer one solution, but their performance requires improvement by increasing the transport number for the electrolyte anion, hydroxide. This project will use advances in permeation ionomer science and transport processes to develop a low-solvent electrolyte with high transport number for the hydroxide ion. The electrolyte will be safe to manufacture. Also, the amount of free solvent water will be limited, in order to reduce the risk of leakage. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed electrolyte will have the potential to improve cycle life, safety, and service life of rechargeable batteries where high specific power is required. The proposed electrolyte should improve safety in manufacturing and handling by immobilizing and controlling hydroxide-ion transport of the caustic component of the battery electrolyte.