Proving the Stability of Eco-Friendly 'Haesujeonji' Solid Electrolytes

Proving Stability by Exposing Seawater Battery Solid Electrolyte to Real-Use Environment
Valuable as Preliminary Research for Creating More Stable and Durable Seawater Batteries in Seawater

Schematic Diagram of Seawater Battery and Stability Test of Solid Electrolyte in Various Operating Environments (Static Evaluation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Research results clarifying the stability of solid electrolytes, the core component of seawater batteries that are attracting attention as energy storage devices that can replace lithium-ion batteries, have been released consecutively. Amid ongoing efforts to develop next-generation batteries to replace lithium-ion batteries due to explosion risks and soaring lithium prices, these findings are expected to contribute to accelerating the commercialization of seawater batteries.

A research team including Professors Hyunwook Lee, Youngsik Kim, and Sangkyu Kwak from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology announced on the 13th that they verified the static and dynamic stability of solid electrolytes used in next-generation eco-friendly seawater batteries through two separate studies. The results were published in the international materials science journals Journal of Materials Chemistry A and Chemistry of Materials, respectively.

Seawater batteries are eco-friendly energy storage devices that charge electricity using sodium ions in seawater and discharge it when needed. Solid electrolytes are the core components of seawater batteries that protect the electrodes from seawater and act as filters selectively allowing only sodium ions in seawater to pass through. However, until now, there have been no cases examining the stability of seawater battery solid electrolytes in actual operating environments.

The research team fabricated the solid electrolyte material in pellet form (thin lumps made by compressing powder) as used in actual seawater batteries. They also exposed these to seawater and dynamic changes such as charging and discharging to demonstrate the stability of solid electrolytes for seawater batteries.

The results showed that the solid electrolyte was more stable in seawater, where various ions coexist, than in pure water (distilled water). This is because the reaction causing the components of the solid electrolyte to leach out was suppressed due to the ion concentration difference. Previously, it was known that solid electrolyte materials dissolved in water when existing in particle form. Additionally, the team observed reactions occurring at the interface between the solid electrolyte and the seawater surface under dynamic conditions of charging and discharging in seawater batteries.

The researchers stated, "This study not only verified the stability of solid electrolytes used in seawater batteries in actual operating environments but also revealed the electrochemical reactions occurring during charging and discharging. This can serve as a guide for developing new solid electrolytes for seawater batteries in the future."

Professor Hyunwook Lee explained, "This research is valuable as a preliminary study necessary for developing chemically more stable solid electrolytes. It will help improve the stability and reliability of solid electrolytes, which play a key role in seawater batteries, leading to the development of seawater batteries that can be used longer."

Results of identifying the cause of structural deformation through dynamic stability (charge-discharge) evaluation

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