Metal-Bromine batteries

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In summary: T. Miller from MIT has a paper about a hydrogen - bromine battery where the bromine is stored externally.In summary, current zinc/bromine batteries could be recharged many times. However, magnesium/bromine batteries have a higher theoretical energy density and are easier to store safely.
  • #1
Stanley514
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Currently there exist Zinc/Bromine batteries which could be recharged many times.
What about such pairs as Calcium/Bromine or Magnesium/Bromine?
Could somebody predict their properties such as energy density or rechargeability?
 
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  • #2
Maximum theoretical energy density is trivial (basic thermodynamics and a molar mass), rechargeability is where the problem is.
 
  • #3
Maximum theoretical energy density is trivial (basic thermodynamics and a molar mass), rechargeability is where the problem is.
Calcium Bromide enthalpy of formation = 647.9 kJ/mol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_bromide
Magnesium Bromide enthalpy of formation = 524.3 kJ/mol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_bromide

In comparison:
Zinc Bromide 328 kJ/mol
Sodium Sulfide 364 Kj/mol

Looks like very good energy density.

Rechargeability:
Calcium Bromide soluble in water (143 g/100 ml (20°C)), alcohol, acetone.
Magnesium Bromide soluble in water (102 g/100 mL (anhydrous)), ethanol: 6.9 g/100 mL, methanol: 21.8 g/100 mL.

Problems?
 
  • #4
Because of a high reactivity it is not that easy to store metallic calcium (or magnesium) safely and not reacting with whatever is present in the battery.

I am not saying it can't be done, just it will be definitely tricky.
 
  • #5
Because of a high reactivity it is not that easy to store metallic calcium (or magnesium) safely and not reacting with whatever is present in the battery.
But certainly much easier than metallic Sodium in Sodium-Sulfur batteries or metallic lithium in Lithium-air cells. Currently many researchers work on Magnesium-Sulfur battery. They do not report any problems with metallic Magnesium. There are Aluminum-air fuel cells. Is Aluminum less reactive than Calcium?
I think Bromine based batteries could be used in some stand alone applications such as renewable energy or power plants, where toxicity of Bromine is a lesser issue.
 
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  • #6
IND LLC is working on solving some of the problems you discuss.. It should be possible to make two types of batteries - one is a flow battery like zinc - bromine battery where the bromine is stored externally ; the other one can compete with lithium ion batteries. I also noticed a hydrogen - bromine battery concept from MIT.
Neale
 

1. What are metal-bromine batteries?

Metal-bromine batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses a combination of a metal anode and a bromine cathode to store and release electrical energy.

2. How do metal-bromine batteries work?

Metal-bromine batteries work by converting chemical energy into electrical energy through a redox reaction. The metal anode, usually zinc or lead, reacts with the bromine cathode to produce an electric current.

3. What are the advantages of metal-bromine batteries?

Metal-bromine batteries have several advantages, including high energy density, long cycle life, and low self-discharge rate. They are also relatively inexpensive and have a wide temperature range for operation.

4. What are the potential applications of metal-bromine batteries?

Metal-bromine batteries have potential applications in various industries, including renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, and aerospace technology. They can also be used as backup power sources for critical systems.

5. Are there any limitations or challenges associated with metal-bromine batteries?

While metal-bromine batteries have many advantages, they also have some limitations and challenges. These include the potential for bromine leakage, which is corrosive and can be harmful to the environment, and the need for a complex and expensive recharging process.

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