This research aims to develop a new type of sustainable and rechargeable battery for electric vehicles using electrically conducting plastics, metal electrodes, and novel solvents called Deep Eutectic Solvents. The goal is to construct and test a battery prototype. Current lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries have safety and capacity limitations. This new battery works through the deposition and dissolution of zinc during charging and discharging. Testing will examine charge storage, ion transport, and electrode structure to understand the battery's performance.

1. A Sustainable, Rechargeable Battery for Electric Vehicles
and Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Claire Fullarton1, Andrew P. Abbott1, A. Robert Hillman1, Karl S. Ryder1, Emma L. Smith1
1Chemistry Department, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH
Summary
This research focuses on the design, production and properties of a new type of sustainable, rechargeable battery for electric
vehicles (EVs) and hybrid EVs. The aim is to construct and test a prototype battery. Electrically conducting plastics and metal
electrodes are to be used in conjunction with novel, inexpensive, environmentally compatible solvents called Deep Eutectic
Solvents (DES).
Petrol and Diesel Car Fears New Battery Technology
Most vehicles on the roads are petrol or The new rechargeable battery works by the deposition and
diesel powered, which have issues concerning: dissolution (transfer back into solution) of zinc metal and
the change in charge on the plastic electrode.
• high environmental impact (CO2 emissions)
• rising fuel prices annually
• looming shortage of oil
This has created a high interest drive to
Zinc Plastic
develop new batteries for electric vehicles.
Electrode Electrode
Dangers and Downfalls of Electric Vehicles
EVs commercially available can utilise one of these batteries:
Deep
Eutectic
Solvent
Fig 2: Battery Prototype
The improvements in safety are realised by the use of Deep
Lead Acid Nickel Metal Lithium Ion Eutectic Solvents. These are air and moisture stable, formed
Hydride from sustainable chemicals, and have been successfully used
However, these have reached their practical limits in terms in metal deposition, thus are ideal for battery applications. A
of energy (usage time) and power. The major concern is range of electrochemical techniques and microscopes will
with safety; short circuiting can cause decomposition of be used to understand charge storage and transport of
battery solvent and gas evolution, potentially resulting in ions/solvent in the conducting plastic electrode and
battery packs setting on fire. This can be triggered by impact examine the metal electrode structure.
of the battery units in a road traffic accident.
Fig 1: Zotye Multipla EV sets on fire in Hangzhou, China in April 2011 cause
unreported but can infer from Li Ion Battery fault (LiFePO4). Image Fig 3: Using the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and an AFM image of a
reproduced from www.chinaautoweb.com plastic film
Research funded by the EU FP7 framework programme.
Leicester Ionic Liquids Group [1] www.polyzion.eu
[2] Abbott AP, Barron JC, Ryder KS, Wilson D, Chem. Eur. J., 2007 ,13, 6495-6501
[3] Smith EL, Fullarton C, Harris RC, Saleem S, Abbott AP, Ryder KS, Trans. Met. Fin. ,2010, 88,
Green Solutions 66,285-293