Effective batteries can be made from crab shells

Beijing: Scientists have been using the outer shells of crabs and shrimps for a long time to make useful ingredients and medicinal products. Now it has been revealed that chitocin, an important component of the outer shell of the same crab, can be very helpful in making batteries.

Chitosan polysaccharides are polymers that make up the outer shell of many marine creatures, from insects. According to scientists, by distilling hard carbon from this chitosan, the circuits and anodes of rechargeable sodium batteries can be made. Thus, an alternative to the lithium battery can also be found.

By extracting pure chitosan from crab shells, if it is heated to 538 degrees Celsius, it turns into carbon. Now, if it is mixed with tin sulfide or iron sulfide, it can be molded into the anode or positive electrode of a sodium-ion battery.

Yun Chen and his colleagues from Shandong First Medical University in China conducted the research. According to him, it can be used as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Crab is carbon permeable and fibrous. It can spread over a wide area to form a better anode. An experimental battery based on tin and steel has been developed based on this and can be charged at least 200 times.

It should be noted that lithium reserves are rapidly decreasing worldwide as the same mineral is used extensively in batteries ranging from smartphones to cars. In this context, chitosan batteries can become an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative.