July 29, 2013

Like Water for Batteries



Pitt team finds water ‘likeability’ plays a role in battery-charged objects

Findings have implications for producing stronger, more durable batteries

Objects made from graphite—such as lithium-ion batteries—are “hydrophobic,” meaning that they “dislike” water. For decades this lack of likeability has presented significant challenges in terms of building more durable technological devices made with graphite—until now.

It appears that past samples of graphite were likely contaminated by air, causing the samples to appear hydrophobic, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. The Pitt team has demonstrated—for the first time—these materials are actually intrinsically attracted to water or “hydrophilic.” The findings, published in Nature Materials, have particular implications for lithium-ion batteries and super capacitors, as both battery types are built from these materials.