Exploring the Potential of Aloe Vera Extract as a Non-Hazardous Electrolytic Solution for Batteries

Abstract

The aim of this research is to develop a non-hazardous, environment-friendly battery using a non-conventional, botanical source: Aloe vera plant. Aloe vera leaves are known to contain acid, which has the potential to generate electric current. Thus, the potency of Aloe vera extract was studied as an electrolytic solution to generate electricity through metal electrodes, similar to a conventional acid battery. The pulp from Aloe vera leaves was extracted in two different states: one with the outer cover intact and another was pure pulp from the inner layer. It was observed that though the initial voltage for both the states of Aloe vera extract was the same at 0.17 V, the voltage generated after 30 minutes of charging the pure pulp extract was approx. Double that of the extract with the outer cover intact. In another iteration, both the types of Aloe vera extract were mixed individually with concentrated sulfuric acid and distilled water. It was noted that in all the iterations, the pure Aloe vera pulp proved to be more efficient, whilst the addition of sulfuric acid gave the highest voltage, ~33% more than pure pulp electrolyte. The future of this work is to develop a high-capacity battery suitable for commercial application.