IICT scientists develop rechargeable magnesium battery

The battery developed by Dr J Vatsala Rani and her team in CSIR-IICT is eco-friendly and cost-effective when compared to the conventional lead acid battery

A city-based premier institute has claimed to have developed a rechargeable magnesium metal battery - an excellent substitute for the highly toxic lead acid one – and is best applicable for UPS and inverter.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) said, “The battery with natural graphite cathode is novel, safe and is best applicable for stationary applications like UPS and inverter where weight is not a criterion. It is an excellent substitute to lead acid battery."

According to CSIR-IICT, technology for rechargeable magnesium battery was not available for commercialisation till date in any part of the world. "The rechargeable magnesium battery developed by Dr J Vatsala Rani and her team in Fluoro-Organics division of CSIR-IICT is eco-friendly, cost effective when compared to the conventional lead acid battery."

The eco-friendly materials used in the battery are magnesium (anode), modified natural graphite (cathode) and ionic liquid electrolyte, which are safe and available abundantly. The Mg-ions from the anode diffuse into the graphite layers of the cathode during discharge and while charging they revert to the anode. The ionic liquid used as electrolyte was prepared in-house and was found to be stable and non-corrosive at room temperature.

According to the institute, "The capacity of the cell is 5 mAh at a voltage of approximately 2 V. Studies are in progress to improve the capacity of the battery. The cycle life of the battery is established for 800 to 900 cycles. As of now, the shelf life of the battery is estimated to be 2-3 years. The electrode materials are reusable and biodegradable.”