What is ‘Iron-Air Battery’?

January 3, 2022

The QuantumScape Corp, a battery start-up backed by Volkswagen AG is working on a technology called “Iron-Air Battery”.

Highlights

This technology could make car batteries cheaper, more reliable and suitable for quicker recharge.
Shareholders of California-based QuantumScape Corp have approved a multibillion-dollar pay package for Chief Executive Officer Jagdeep Singh, for achieving some performance milestones.

What is Iron-air battery?

Iron–air rechargeable batteries are an attractive technology, having the potential of grid-scale energy storage. Main raw-material of this technology is iron oxide (rust), which is non-toxic, abundant, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Most of the iron- batteries are currently being developed using iron oxide for generating or storing hydrogen through a redox reaction.

Where does power come to Iron-air batteries?

Power in the iron-air batteries comes from interaction of iron with oxygen. The steel oxidizes in the same manner as it would during its corrosion phase in that procedure. Necessary oxygen for the reaction can be taken from ambient air. Thus, it eliminates the requirement of cell to store it. Iron-air batteries save more energy as compared to lithium-ion batteries with 600wh/kg.

Significance of the batteries

Iron-air batteries are significance because, both ferrous and sodium are highly abundant. They are the building blocks of alkali solutions. They have a high potential to grow. They have a life span of around 30 years. Iron-oxygen batteries are also resilient to overcurrent, overcharging, and partial discharge. A rechargeable iron-oxygen battery could supply 100 hours of energy at operating cost as compared to traditional power stations. It is less than a tenth as compared to price of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have gained interest due to their energy density, reversibility and environmental acceptability.

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