Researchers ETH Zurich have discovered a new type of glass material that can be used as an electrode in Lithium-ion batteries. This discovery can double a standard batteries back up.

The material that the ETH Zurich Researchers discovered is not like ordinary glass.

The chemical composition of this glass allows it to behave like an electrode. The researchers are using the Vanadate-borate glass as a cathode material. Made of vanadium oxide (V2O5) and lithium-borate (LiBO2) precursors, and coated with reduced graphite oxide (RGO) to increase the electrode properties of the material.

Vanadium is a transition metal with various oxidation states,this glass uses a Vanadium-based compound to extract the higher capacity.

The Cathode material is made up of blended powdered vanadium pentoxide with borate compounds. The scientists melted the powder at 900 degrees Celsius and cooled the melt as quickly as possible to form glass. Resulting paper-thin sheets were then crushed into a powder before use, as this increases their surface area and creates pore space.

The researcher coated the vanadate-borate powder with reduced graphite oxide (RGO) to produce an efficient electrode. This increases conductivity while at the same time protecting the electrode particles.

As per the lead researcher the resultant battery will be able to charge a phone from 1.5 to 2 times more