Iron-Air Battery

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