Disposable "paper-based battery" understand? Biodegradable after use
Recently, scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute for materials science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a more environmentally friendly "paper-based battery", which can be activated only with water and will be biodegradable once discarded.
Researchers said the battery could be used in "smart" transportation labels, environmental sensors and disposable medical diagnostic equipment.
It is reported that in the current proof of concept, the battery is composed of multiple connection units. Each battery is 1 square centimeter in size, and its paper substrate is impregnated with sodium chloride (also known as table salt). It has a waxy coating at one end and two wires connected to it.
Specifically, an ink containing graphite sheets is printed on one side of the paper as a cathode. Ink containing zinc powder is printed on the other side as an anode. On both sides of the paper, covered with these two inks is a third ink containing graphite flakes and carbon black, which connects the cathode and anode to the above two wires.
Once a small amount of water is applied to the battery, the liquid will dissolve the sodium chloride in the paper and release charged ions. When these ions diffuse in the wet paper electrolyte, they will cause the zinc in the anode to be oxidized and release electrons.
