China Unveils Water Battery That Can Last Up to 300 Years

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team of researchers in China has pioneered a new “water battery” formula that is claimed to last 10 times longer than the best batteries currently available. More than that, the battery is said to maintain its lifespan without degradation and can be safely disposed of in the environment.

As reported by Live Science, the researchers used a method called Covalent Organic Polymers (COPs): hexaketone-tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin. This highly durable organic molecule, containing nitrogen and carbon, is tightly bonded in a structured framework with clear openings and is used as an anode for magnesium and calcium ions.

Organic polymers generally have limited applications because of their short lifespan. They corrode quickly in water-based electrolytes commonly used in this type of battery, which can be extremely acidic or highly alkaline. In extreme cases, the phenomenon known as electrolyte decomposition can even trigger explosions.

Electrolytes with very low pH levels are important for moving ions between the anode and cathode. This is also why water batteries are less flammable and considered a cheaper alternative to conventional batteries.

In a study published in the journal Nature Communications on February 18, the research team discovered a specific compound, hexaketone-tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin, which combines high-density carbonyl molecules—ideal for attracting positive ions—with tetraaminodibenzo-p-dioxin molecules. The rigid molecular structure keeps the hexaketone compound in a flat, honeycomb-like arrangement.

The Covalent Organic Polymer developed by researchers from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at City University of Hong Kong, the New Energy and New Functional Materials Laboratory at Yan'an University, and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory in Guangdong demonstrated strong performance in neutral electrolytes with a pH level of 7.0.

“This electrolyte is environmentally friendly and can even be used as a soaking liquid in tofu production,” the study stated as an illustration.

The neutral electrolyte used in the research promotes highly efficient ion movement. Combined with a carefully controlled structure, it prevents corrosion in the COP material.

The researchers said the polymer can endure up to 120,000 charging cycles—more than 10 times the lifespan of a typical lithium-ion battery, according to data from the Energy Sustainability Directory. Grid batteries completed an average of 1.1 cycles per day in 2024. At that rate, the water battery could theoretically last around 300 years before requiring replacement.

The researchers also stated that the electrolyte used is environmentally friendly because it is non-toxic and can be disposed of directly. This characteristic adds to its other advantages of being non-flammable and inexpensive.

However, the technology still has limitations. Water batteries cannot store as much energy as lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries because water-based electrodes limit the maximum voltage. To compensate, larger-scale water battery storage systems are usually required.

Read: Why the EU Is Pushing for Removable Phone Batteries

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