AsianFin -- A team of researchers in China has created the world’s first prototype battery utilizing hydride ions, which possess the highest electron density among all forms of hydrogen, marking a significant milestone for green energy innovation in the country.

The breakthrough was achieved by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, who developed an all-solid-state rechargeable hydride ion battery. The battery employs sodium aluminum hydride, a hydrogen storage material, as the positive electrode, and hydrogen-poor cerium dihydride as the negative electrode, according to findings published yesterday in the UK-based journal Nature.

The experimental battery demonstrated an initial specific capacity of 984 milliampere-hours per gram and maintained 402 mAh per gram after 20 cycles, indicating promising stability for early-stage development.

Hydride ion batteries operate by the movement of hydride ions to store and release energy, similar to the mechanism of conventional lithium-ion batteries, Xinhua News Agency reported. Hydride ions stand out due to their higher electron density compared with hydrogen cations and hydrogen atoms. Their high reactivity and ease of polarization make them a compelling candidate for next-generation energy storage solutions.

This advancement offers a potential new pathway for China’s pursuit of sustainable and high-density energy technologies, contributing to the country’s broader green energy and carbon neutrality goals.