A low temperature iron molten air battery

Abstract

A molten air battery was demonstrated to work at temperatures favourable for EV applications. Molten air battery is a new class of rechargeable batteries with the highest-density energy storage capability, consisting of three parts: a discharging air cathode, molten electrolyte and multi-electron anode. A eutectic electrolyte with soluble LiFeO₂ and optimized cell configuration lowered the battery operating temperatures by >100 °C. In the eutectic electrolyte at 600 °C, the cycling of iron molten air battery averaged 60% coulombic efficiency at 1.3 V charge and 1.0 V constant load discharge, and 92% coulombic efficiency at a lower cut-off voltage of 0.5 V.