A new type of battery uses the complex chemistry of sulfur to achieve a particularly high energy density. Instead of serving as a storage material, sulfur serves as an active electron donor in combination with sodium and chlorine.
Sulfur occurs naturally in large quantities and is very inexpensive to purchase. A new scientific approach uses unusual sulfur chemistry to achieve high power density in batteries. According to a report in Nature magazine, this is different from traditional storage systems.
The concept stipulates that sulfur not only serves as a storage facility for energy. The material releases active electrons during the chemical reaction. This is unusual because the sulfur chains in the battery react directly and release more charge carriers than with conventional sulfur compounds.
Sulfur battery: economics and raw material advantages
Research shows that higher specific capacity is possible through this process. Instead of just pushing the electrons back and forth between the poles, the sulfur provides additional particles for the current flow through its chemical transformation.
This means that the battery has a higher energy density for the same size. Specifically, this means that devices could be supplied with electricity for longer. The use of sulfur offers advantages for the production of future batteries. Since the raw material is abundant on earth, expensive supply chains for rare materials are no longer necessary.
This means that batteries can be produced more cheaply on this basis. The particles provide the power for the battery directly from the chemical reaction. Data from experts like John Timmer demonstrate the power of this particular approach.
Sustainability and chemical processes
Researchers are currently further developing the technology to guarantee the stability of the reactions. One aspect of the novel sulfur battery is sustainability through the use of a common element. Sulfur is often produced as a by-product in industry, which is why its procurement has less impact on the environment than mining rare earths. The hardware for clean energy is therefore on an environmentally friendly basis.
At the core of the technology is the knowledge that sulfur not only holds charge, but is itself oxidized or reduced to provide electrons. Through this active participation in electricity generation, the material is optimally utilized. Research is currently focused on keeping these sulfur reactions stable over many charging cycles.
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