Chinese researchers unveil a hydride‑ion battery prototype: 984 mAh/g—up to 6× lithium‑ion—with safer chemistry for EVs, electronics and grid storage.
© A. Krivonosov
Chinese researchers have unveiled the world’s first working prototype of a hydride‑ion battery—based on negatively charged hydrogen ions—delivering a capacity six times that of lithium‑ion counterparts. Unlike conventional lithium‑ion cells, the new chemistry shows safer electrochemical behavior, sidestepping risks of fire and leakage. The project is a collaboration between Jilin University, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, and the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute.
At the heart of the breakthrough is an electrolyte built on cerium hydride coated with a layer of barium hydride. This previously undescribed material for the first time enabled high hydride‑ion conductivity at room temperature while resisting thermal and chemical stress. The anode uses a cerium‑hydride–based material, and the cathode relies on sodium–aluminum hydride—a pairing that keeps the cell both compatible and stable in operation.
Experiments delivered striking numbers: specific capacity reached 984 mAh/g, with a pathway to 1,200 mAh/g, compared with 150–300 mAh/g for lithium‑ion batteries. Even in its early tests, the prototype powered an LED, a small but telling proof of practical viability. That simple demo matters: when room‑temperature conductivity meets a safer chemistry, the leap from lab bench to real‑world use starts to look plausible.
The new battery class could find roles in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable‑energy storage. According to the research team, hydride‑ion batteries open the door to safer, more efficient power sources—an avenue that, if sustained by further validation, has the makings of a genuine step change for future energy systems.