Increasing energy demand has created a new global market for renewable energy. Renewable energy, however, is intermittent and improved electrical energy storage is necessary. This project investigates the feasibility of a rechargeable liquid metal-air battery by testing different liquid metal anodes and electrolytes. The longest discharge time was obtained with a 92% gallium-8% tin alloy anode with 6M KOH and 0.17M gallium oxide electrolyte. It was found that a liquid gallium metal anode with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide electrolyte showed evidence of rechargeability. However, gallium leaking through the electrolyte separator was observed so different separators should be investigated. Adaptation into a flow battery configuration would improve the energy density of the battery.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rapoza, Kelly Charita
• Marx, Allison Lynn

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042417-150807

Advisor

• Teixeira, Andrew R
• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright