Muscat: Chinese researchers have developed a non-toxic water-based battery that could transform energy storage, offering a long operational life, high efficiency and environmentally safe disposal compared to conventional batteries, the battery could have a theoretical lifespan of up to 300 years if used at one charge-discharge cycle per day, the researchers said.

According to Oman News Agency, the team used synthetic covalent organic polymers - durable, carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials with tiny pores that facilitate ion movement - as the positive electrode for magnesium and calcium ions. Water-based batteries are low-cost and less flammable than lithium-ion batteries, but they typically suffer from short operational lives due to internal degradation.

In a study published in Nature Communications, the team identified a chemical compound with a stable, honeycomb-like structure that enhances its ability to attract ions and withstand long-term operation. The researchers also used a neutral-pH electrolyte solution, improving ion transfer efficiency without affecting battery stability. The battery can withstand about 120,000 charge-discharge cycles - more than ten times the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries currently used for grid-scale storage, according to the study.

A key advantage is that the battery's materials are safe and non-toxic; the electrolyte is used in some food products, making disposal less environmentally harmful. The researchers hope the technology will lead to safer, more efficient and sustainable batteries for future energy storage systems and electrical grids.