According to China Central Television (CCTV) news on the 18th, a team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently developed a novel core–shell structure hydride ion electrolyte and successfully constructed the first hydride ion prototype battery. This achievement was published in the international academic journal Nature on the 17th Beijing time.
Hydrogen is an important component of the future clean energy system and usually exists in three forms: hydrogen cation (proton), hydride ion, and hydrogen atom. Among them, hydride ions have the highest electron density, are easily polarized, and show the strongest reactivity. As a unique energy carrier with tremendous potential, their development has important scientific significance and application prospects.
In 2018, the research team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics began studies on hydride ion conduction and, in 2023, proposed the 'lattice distortion electron conduction suppression' strategy, developing a room-temperature superfast hydride ion conductor. On this basis, the team used barium hydride (BaH2) thin layer coating on cerium trihydride (CeH3) to develop a new composite hydride material with a core–shell structure.
This material exhibits rapid hydride ion conduction properties at room temperature, while simultaneously possessing excellent thermal stability and electrochemical stability, making it an ideal electrolyte material.
Based on the novel hydride ion electrolyte material, the team used classic hydrogen storage material sodium aluminum hydride (NaAlH4) as the cathode and hydrogen-deficient cerium dihydride (CeH2) as the anode to assemble the first hydride ion prototype battery.
By building a stacked battery, the team increased the voltage to 1.9 volts and successfully lit an LED, proving the feasibility of hydride ion batteries powering electronic devices. This marks the successful transition of hydride ion batteries from a 'theoretical model' to a 'laboratory prototype.' As an entirely new energy storage technology route, hydride ion batteries are expected to play important roles in large-scale energy storage, hydrogen storage, mobile power, and special power supplies in the future.