Researchers in China have developed a method to turn rusty stainless steel mesh into electrodes. New Electronics reports that the research team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Jilin University have created flexible electrodes that work for potassium-ion betteries.
“Potassium ions are just as inexpensive and readily available as sodium, and potassium ion batteries would be superior from the electric aspect,” said researcher Xin-Bo Zhang in a statement to Electronics News. “However, the significantly larger radius of the potassium ions has posed a problem. Repeated storage and release of these ions destabilises the materials currently used in electrodes.”
Steel is already the most recyclable material available, with an incredible reuse rate of 90%. According to The Balance recycling one ton of steel prevents the need to use 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone. Now, the battery industry may now be able to hop on board the benefits of recycling steel, too.
New Electronics reports that researchers coated the rusty steel in graphite oxide, which makes it more conductive and stable. They then dipped it into liquid potassium ferrocyanide. This solution dissolves the iron, chromium, and nickel ions that developed during the corrosion process. The ions of these elements bond with the ferricyanide ions, and the researchers deposit them as nanocubes. Researches can then pull potassium ions from the cubes.
“The RGO coating inhibits clumping and detachment of the active material,” Zhang told New Electronics. “At the same time, it significantly increases the conductivity and opens ultrafast electron-transport pathways.”
Steel and steel alloys are widely used in the manufacturing, construction, biomedical, aerospace, chemical, and other industries for a variety of applications. Alloy steels specifically are divided into four classes: structural steels, tool and die steels, magnetic alloys, and stainless and heat-resisting steels. Zhang and his team found that stainless steel specifically recycled from sieves and mesh filters were the most successful application for this particular project, he told New Electronics.
“Their conversion into electrodes could develop into a more ecologically and economically sensible form of recycling.”
