A new water battery has been developed that can withstand up to 120,000 charge cycles. According to the authors’ calculations, in energy storage systems this technology could operate for about 300 years without a noticeable loss of capacity — more than ten times longer than modern lithium-ion batteries.
The battery is based on synthetic covalent organic polymers (COPs). These materials have a strong porous structure through which ions pass. Similar polymers previously broke down quickly in aqueous environments because of aggressive electrolytes with high acidity or alkalinity. The researchers solved this problem by creating a material with a stable molecular structure and using a neutral electrolyte with a pH of 7, close to ordinary water.
The system’s safety also stands out. The researchers emphasize that the electrolyte used is so non-toxic that it is compared with the solution used in tofu production. For the energy sector, this is a serious advantage. Modern batteries often require complex disposal because of toxic and fire-prone components.
Today, water batteries are considered one of the most promising directions for storing energy from solar and wind power plants. They are cheaper, do not catch fire, and are better suited for large-scale grid systems. This is especially important now, when energy from renewable sources needs to be stored reliably, cheaply, and safely for decades.
