How China’s iconic Baijiu is sparking battery breakthroughs!
China is certainly making the most of everything! They have indeed found a way to reuse the distillation waste from baijiu, the traditional Chinese spirit, as a promising material to enhance the performance of sodium batteries. This innovation could achieve a dual environmental AND economic goal. One question burns on our lips: can American brands like Jack Daniel’s take inspiration from this to reap an unexpected financial windfall?
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Uncovering a surprising application for distillation waste
Traditionally, after distilling baijiu, a significant amount of sediment, known as lees, is left behind. Instead of discarding this by-product, researchers in China have discovered its potential in enhancing the capabilities of sodium-ion batteries. This finding could significantly impact the future of energy storage solutions.
What is Baijiu?
Baijiu is a traditional Chinese spirit that is extremely popular, with massive annual production. In 2024, China produced approximately 4.15 billion liters of Baijiu, which represents a decrease from 2023. Among the major producers, Wuliangye Yibin produced about 160,000 tons of Baijiu in 2022. Kweichow Moutai, another iconic brand, produced about 80,000 tons of its flagship Moutai Baijiu in 2021. These companies dominate the Chinese market, where Baijiu remains the most consumed alcoholic beverag
Why sodium-ion batteries matter
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to the more common lithium-ion versions. They are not only cheaper but also safer, making them an excellent option for energy storage systems and electric vehicles that do not require high speeds.
The challenge with hard carbon anodes
In SIBs, hard carbon is typically used for the anode. This material is chosen for its ability to accommodate larger sodium ions compared to the graphene used in lithium-ion batteries. However, hard carbon anodes are not without their problems; they often show low charge efficiency initially, which can limit battery performance.
To improve this, a collaborative effort between the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Wuliangye, a renowned baijiu producer, was initiated. Wuliangye’s lees provided a unique source of biomass that was transformed into an innovative electrode material.
The process of transformation
Researchers first processed the baijiu lees through several steps—washing, drying, acid-leaching, and pre-carbonizing. Following this, the material was treated with sodium hydroxide to eliminate silica and then subjected to high-temperature activation. The result was silicon-doped hard carbon. This material was then refined through ultrasonic treatment, stirring, drying, and further carbonizing at high temperatures.
The silicon-doped hard carbon was used as an anode in a sodium-ion battery paired with sodium manganese oxide as the cathode. The battery exhibited excellent performance, achieving a high reversible capacity with impressive cycle stability. This demonstrated not only the potential for reuse of industrial by-products but also significant improvements in battery technology.
Implications for energy storage
The successful application of baijiu lees in battery production highlights a sustainable path for managing industrial waste while also enhancing energy storage technology, especially for Electric Vehicles (EV). This approach could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly battery production, essential for modern energy needs.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on scaling up production and further refining the process to boost efficiency. The project holds independent patents, suggesting a robust foundation for commercial development. This innovative utilization of baijiu lees could pave the way for broader adoption of sodium-ion batteries, particularly in applications requiring frequent energy cycles.
Can Jack Daniel’s and other American brands do the same thing?
Jack Daniel’s is one of the most famous distilleries in the United States, producing about 136 million liters of pure alcohol per year. The distillery uses six column stills to achieve this capacity, with some capable of distilling up to 850 liters of alcohol per minute. In terms of sales, Brown-Forman, the owner of Jack Daniel’s, recently lowered its annual growth forecasts due to weaker demand in the United States and Mexico. Net sales for the quarter ending October 31, 2023, increased by only 1% to reach $1.11 billion.
The reference study in this article is on the reuse of distillation waste from Baijiu, a spirit not produced in the United States, but it is very likely that the method can be adapted to other alcohols. One can find themselves dreaming of American brands such as Jack Daniel’s being able to boost their earnings in the manner of the Chinese.
