[Courtesy of UNIST]
SEOUL — South Korean researchers have developed a high polymer binder material that helps catalysts stick to electrodes of seawater batteries to improve performance. The adhesive material was designed after sticky protein, produced by mussels, that sticks to various surfaces including rocks, boats and ropes.
Seawater batteries use a liquid solution of salt water to collect, store and discharge electricity. Their cathodes consist of current collectors made of carbon fiber and catalyst materials. Catalysts help batteries store and discharge energy.
Normally, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), a highly non-reactive thermal plastic fluoropolymer, is used as a binder for catalysts but PVDF’s performance is greatly reduced in seawater. When catalysts are not properly adhered to the current collector, the corrosion of carbon materials…