Hybrid nanostructured systems for sustainable energy storage

Introduction

Humanity will increasingly need safe, clean, and always available energy. Thus, having good energy storage systems will be more and more important in the future. Efficient and sustainable rechargeable batteries are required to power portable electronic devices, new hybrid electric vehicles, and to store electricity from renewable sources.

Mission of HYNANOSTORE

The mission of HYNANOSTORE is the development of new environment-friendly systems based on organic molecules, which are used in the chemistry of life, for the storage of chemical energy and its transformation into electrical energy.

Innovative Battery Design

HYNANOSTORE re-thinks the concept of a battery’s electrode based on lithium insertion and proposes a novel architecture in which the redox properties of bio-molecules, such as enzymatic co-factors, can take up and release ions reversibly. This approach aims to overcome the problems associated with the use of conventional Li-ion batteries, including:

• Safety
• Sustainability
• Long-term cyclability

Nanostructured Conductive Scaffold

To achieve this, a nanostructured conductive scaffold with tailored characteristics will provide a framework to:

1. Immobilize redox-active molecules
2. Maximize their loading through an extended surface area
3. Facilitate charge transport
4. Create a diffuse interface for interaction with the electrolyte

Expected Outcomes

The new bio-inspired engineered system developed after the successful completion of HYNANOSTORE will offer benefits in terms of power and cyclability. An energy density of 500 W h kg⁻¹ and the retention of at least 90% capacity after cycling 800 times are expected with the implementation of these systems.

Conclusion

The output of the project HYNANOSTORE will be the introduction of a new concept for lithium-ion batteries towards cheap, green, and versatile energy storage devices.