LSU Research Bites: A Safer, Metal-Free Battery to Power the Future
February 23, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power our cell phones, our electric cars, and so many other devices we depend on. They are fantastic technology—except for the environmental impacts of their creation and disposal.
Lithium mining and processing use toxic chemicals and a lot of water. Disposed batteries can contaminate drinking water and harm wildlife.
But what if we could make batteries without using lithium… or any metal at all?
LSU researchers have found a way. They have created a fully functional metal-free battery using organic electrodes and a water-based electrolyte. This battery eliminates the need for flammable electrolytes and scarce, toxic metals.
Ying (Jane) Wang, an associate professor in the LSU College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, worked with collaborators at the LSU AgCenter to design two metal-free batteries and to conduct electrochemical testing and performance demonstrations.
Ying (Jane) Wang, associate professor, LSU College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ammonium-ion batteries use NH₄⁺ ions (positively charged particles), which are formed by adding a proton to ammonia. These ions are lightweight, abundant, and environmentally benign carriers of electrons or charge. Essentially, ammonium can act as a liquid metal.
The researchers used an organic red dye molecule called perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) as the anode. Ammonium ions move from the anode (negative) to a carbon-based polymer cathode (positive), generating an electric current.
The metal-free batteries showed stable cycling and could power small devices, including a digital thermometer and LED lights.
“This type of battery is inherently lightweight and potentially flexible, which opens the door to applications in wearable electronics and medical devices where safety is critical,” Wang said.
Ultimately, this research shows that metal-free, aqueous batteries can achieve respectable performance while offering major advantages in safety, environmental impact, and material sustainability.
“This research could contribute to sustainable energy storage solutions for consumer electronics, medical devices, and large-scale systems where fire risk and material scarcity are major concerns,” Wang said.
Read the paper: A totally metal-free battery using organic electrodes in an aqueous electrolyte
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