Researchers at RMIT University have developed a proton battery that stores energy as solid hydrogen through a reversible process that splits water. The prototype developed by RMIT is the first working example of a battery based on the technology, which, according to the university, could eventually be scaled up to enable similar functions to lithium-ion technology - such as EVs and large-scale storage. Key to the battery's importance is its reliance on cheap and abundant materials - primarily carbon, while questions have arisen over the supply potential of several materials commonly used in lithium-ion technology. "Proton batteries are one of many potential contributors to meeting this huge energy storage need. Using protons to power batteries has the potential to be more economical than using lithium ions made from panic resources," said lead researcher John Andrews. "Carbon, which is the main resource used in our proton batteries, is abundant and cheap compared to metallic hydrogen storage alloys and the lithium needed for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries," he added. The prototype battery, described in the international journal Hydrogen Energy, has an active surface area of 5.5 square centimeters and is charged by protons produced through the breakdown of cell membranes in a fuel cell, where they combine directly with storage materials with the help of an applied voltage. During a discharge, the process is reversed; hydrogen atoms return through the cell membrane, combine with oxygen and electrons, and reform into water. According to RMIT, proton batteries are more energy-efficient than existing hydrogen storage technologies, and their prototype is capable of storing similar amounts of energy to commercial lithium-ion batteries. In tests, the battery could store nearly 1 weight percent (wt%) of hydrogen and emit 0.8 wt%. Maximum cell voltage is 1.2V. "Future work will now focus on further improving performance and energy density by using atomically thin layers of carbon-based materials such as graphene," Andrews continued. "The goal of proton batteries is to be truly compatible with Lithium-ion batteries remain competitive.

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