Lithium-ion batteries are the ones used in consumer electronic items. Their potential to retain the charge for a longer duration has made them the industry-wide standard. In recent years, lithium-oxygen batteries have surfaced as a possible successor. However, due to several limitations, their practical usage in commercial products is not possible yet.
One such obstacle is the formation of lithium peroxide. For the unaware, it is a solid precipitate that is chemically formed during the process and covers the surface of the electrodes, thus slowing (and ultimately halting) the flow of ions. The idea is to find and use a catalyst that will result in the decomposition of those harmful peroxide molecules into lithium ions and oxygen gas.
The researchers at Yale laboratory have identified a molecule named Heme to act as the catalyst in the process in an environment-friendly manner. It is the same molecule that makes one of the two parts of hemoglobin, the protein molecule responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. Since Heme has a good binding with oxygen, it is a perfect candidate for the job.
It has been successfully demonstrated that when used as the catalyst, the Heme molecule improved the lithium-oxygen cell's function by reducing the energy needed to improve the charge/discharge cycle time of the battery.
Moreover, this will result in the reduction of animal waste disposal since this biomolecule is traditionally just a waste product in the animal products industry.
One such obstacle is the formation of lithium peroxide. For the unaware, it is a solid precipitate that is chemically formed during the process and covers the surface of the electrodes, thus slowing (and ultimately halting) the flow of ions. The idea is to find and use a catalyst that will result in the decomposition of those harmful peroxide molecules into lithium ions and oxygen gas.
The researchers at Yale laboratory have identified a molecule named Heme to act as the catalyst in the process in an environment-friendly manner. It is the same molecule that makes one of the two parts of hemoglobin, the protein molecule responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. Since Heme has a good binding with oxygen, it is a perfect candidate for the job.
It has been successfully demonstrated that when used as the catalyst, the Heme molecule improved the lithium-oxygen cell's function by reducing the energy needed to improve the charge/discharge cycle time of the battery.
Moreover, this will result in the reduction of animal waste disposal since this biomolecule is traditionally just a waste product in the animal products industry.
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