Plant roots can be used to produce environmentally friendly lithium batteries

Scientists have found suitable successors for lithium metal batteries. The new non-toxic long-lasting battery will use purpurin as raw material. They extract the dye used as a cloth from the grass roots. This ancient technology has existed for at least 3,500 years. At present, LiCoO2 is the material that the factory manufactures lithium cathodes. However, the exploitation of cobalt ore and its fusion with lithium requires ultra-high temperatures to produce the cathode. The entire production process is not only expensive but also wastes energy.

Dr. Arava Leela Mohana Reddy from Rice University told the reporter that Lithium Batteries produce 159 lbs of carbon dioxide for every single kilowatt hour consumed or generated. Through research, Dr. Reddy found that purpurin and other biological dyes can be used as more energy-saving and environmentally friendly electrodes. This is due to the fact that the group of carbonyl groups and hydroxyl groups contained in the dye can conduct electricity.

The method of making the purpurin electrode is simple and can be performed at room temperature. The procedure is very simple. It is only necessary to dissolve the purpurin in alcohol and add a small amount of lithium salt. When the solution turns from thick yellow to pink, it means that lithium ions have been adsorbed on purpurine. At this time, as long as the solution is filtered out, the electrode is completed.

Experiments show that compared to the other two organics that participated in the comparative test. Using purpurin as an electrode is much simpler. Similarly, alfalfa and other plants can effectively remove carbon dioxide from the air. The resulting battery will also be more environmentally friendly and easy to handle.

The research report of the research team has been published on the Nature website.