Saltwater flow battery produces graphene while charging – pv magazine International

Salgenx has developed a graphene manufacturing technique that makes use of its saltwater redox stream battery. A skinny membrane battery prices and discharges by utilizing an electrolyzer that splits sodium chloride (NaCl) into sodium (Na) and chlorine.

“Chlorine is then saved within the aqueous electrolyte, whereas sodium is saved on the cathode,” stated Salgenx CEO Greg Giese. pv journal. “On this occasion, the cathode consists of a sacrificial materials, graphite, which intercalates sodium. Salgenx applies a proprietary approach that exfoliates the graphite into particular person layers of graphene, which could be additional processed for greater purity.

The method of graphene exfoliation happens throughout charging as a result of an electrochemical course of. When an electrical potential is utilized to the graphite host, it causes charged species within the electrolyte friends to intercalate within the interlayer galleries of the graphite and produce gaseous merchandise that contribute to the growth of the construction, in response to a brand new paper on the topic.

The strategy doesn’t use sodium, leaving it for the battery discharge course of. Salgenx claims it could possibly produce graphene for lower than $1.25 per gram. “Salgenx’s battery stream system usually takes 4 to six hours to cost, usually throughout off-peak hours, enabling simultaneous graphene manufacturing to enhance the cost and grow to be a income mannequin,” the US-based tech startup stated in an announcement.

The on-demand graphene manufacturing machine will primarily goal the fiberglass and carbon fiber fabrication industries however could be utilized to any graphene additive house.

In March, Salgenx stated it had developed a system that makes use of electrical energy saved in its battery to provide clear consuming water from seawater.