Researchers in China have created a formula for a non-toxic water battery that they claim can last 10 times longer than current ones. Most importantly, the new water battery achieves this duration without degrading and can be disposed of without being hazardous to the environment.
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In the study, published February 18 in the scientific journal Nature Communications, the researchers identified a specific compound (hexaketone-tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin), which combines high-density carbonyl groups — ideal for attracting positive ions — with a rigid tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin that keeps the hexaketone in its flat, honeycomb structure.
The neutral electrolytes used in the research, with a pH of 7.0, allow for highly efficient ion transport. Combined with the carefully designed structure, this is achieved without causing corrosion in the specific COP.
The researchers said the polymers could withstand up to 120,000 charge cycles — more than ten times the lifespan of a typical lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery used for grid energy storage, according to data from the Energy Sustainability Directory. Grid batteries were completing an average of 1.1 cycles per day in 2024. At that rate, the water battery could last about 300 years before needing replacement.
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The researchers also added that the new battery's electrolytes are so safe that they could even be used as a brine for tofu — meaning they are non-toxic and can be easily disposed of directly into the environment.
Water batteries are considered particularly suitable for large-scale energy storage in the electrical grid, such as in large battery storage systems, thanks to their non-flammable properties and low initial cost.
However, they also have some drawbacks. Water batteries cannot store as much energy as conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries or sodium-ion (Na-ion) devices because the water-based electrodes limit the maximum operating voltage.
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Additionally, aqueous batteries deteriorate over time, as the extreme pH of the electrolyte causes the formation of hydrogen and oxygen gases, which corrode the battery's metal elements.
