2024-02-01 16:26:47
Las lithium batteries They are the most used today. However, the risks derived from its use and its environmental problems are leading scientists to look for safer and less polluting alternatives. One of the most promising is the zinc-air battery, but it presents a problem and that is that it needs a catalyst that facilitates the chemical reaction used to store energy and obtain electricity. Now, a team of scientists from the University of Córdoba (Spain) has found this catalyst in a most unexpected place: the sangre.
Specifically, they have used the hemoglobin, one of the main blood proteins. This protein is known for giving blood its characteristic red color, but also for being responsible for the transport of oxygen that occurs from the lungs to all the tissues of the body. If we think about the dolls of Life is so with which the Red blood cells, hemoglobin would be the little bag in which they transported clean air. But what does this have to do with a zinc-air battery?
A lot, actually, since oxygen plays a fundamental role in the operation of these batteries. A protein that binds to it in such an efficient way can be very effective and, in fact, according to these scientists in a study published in Energy & Fuelsyes it has been.
This is how the zinc-air battery works
Like any other, the zinc-air battery consists of three main parts: the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte that is placed between the two.
At the anode there is always a oxidation reaction, in which atoms lose electrons, which travel to the cathode, reducing the atoms present there. This flow of electrons is responsible for the electric current and it is caused by an electrolyte located between both parts.
In the case of the zinc-air battery, the zinc present in the anode is oxidized, releasing electrons that pass to the cathode, where the oxygen in the air is reduced to give rise to water. Electrolyte is a substance known as PBSwhich broadly consists of a saline solution with phosphate.
We have already seen the main reaction. But, to make this battery efficient, it is necessary facilitate the reaction with a catalyst. And this is where blood hemoglobin comes into play. We have already seen that its role is to transport oxygen, so it has a great affinity to bind to it. Therefore, the addition of this protein to the cathode helps a greater amount of oxygen to be transformed into water.
Hemoglobin is added to the cathode to facilitate oxygen binding. Credit. García-Caballero et al.
Very positive first results
In the first experiments carried out with this zinc-air battery, it was enough to 0.165 milligrams of hemoglobin to give it a duration of 20 to 30 days. This is very good, but the problem is that, at least for now, the battery it is not rechargeable. Therefore, to close the circle, a protein would be needed that transforms water back into oxygen, so that we can return to the starting point.
What is all this for?
A zinc-air battery that runs on hemoglobin would be very beneficial for the use of devices worn inside the body, such as a pacemaker. These would be much more self-sufficient, since the blood itself would help the reaction that generates the electric current to occur.
If that protein is found that would allow it to be rechargeable, we would be facing a very promising future. In fact, just from what they’ve already achieved, the results are fascinating.
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