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18 June 2023
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Groundbreaking leap in zinc-air battery technology

 

SUSTAINABILITY - Currently, zinc-air batteries have energy densities more than three times higher than lithium-ion batteries, but advancements are required to match their specific energy and voltage levels.


Prototype zinc-air battery

 

Researchers from Tohoku University have made a game-changing innovation in zinc-air batteries, significantly improving their performance and making them a strong contender against lithium-ion batteries. By using a novel iron azaphthalocyanine unimolecular layer (AZUL) electrocatalyst and a tandem electrolyte system, the team boosted the potential of zinc-air batteries to approximately 2.25 V and a high power density of 318 mW/cm2. This opens up opportunities for zinc-air batteries to be used in advanced devices such as drones, electric vehicles, and grid-scale energy storage systems.

 

Highlights

  • Theoretically, zinc-air batteries have a higher energy density than Li-ion batteries.

  • There are limitations currently stopping the use of zinc-air in power-hungry applications like cars.

  • With the Tohoku University innovation, zinc-air may become competitive with Li-ion.

 

Understanding zinc-air batteries

Zinc-air batteries are a type of metal-air battery powered by the oxidation of zinc with oxygen from the air. They are known for their high energy densities and relatively low cost of production, making them an attractive option for various applications. However, their low power density and standard voltage of around 1.4 V have limited their use in advanced devices.

The innovation from Tohoku University involves the development of cobalt oxide/carbon nanotube hybrid catalysts and nickel-iron layered double hydroxide cathode catalysts, which exhibit higher catalytic activity and durability. This results in a zinc-air battery with a peak power density of around 265 mW/cm³ and energy density greater than 700 Wh/kg. The innovation also includes rechargeable zinc-air batteries with small charge-discharge voltage polarisation and high reversibility.

 

Comparing with lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most popular battery type, with a specific energy of around 150-250 Wh/kg and a nominal cell voltage of around 3.6 V. In comparison, current zinc-air batteries have a specific energy of 470 Wh/kg (practical) and 1370 Wh/kg (theoretical), as well as a specific power of 100 W/kg. The nominal cell voltage for zinc-air batteries is 1.45 V. With the Tohoku University innovation, the energy density of zinc-air batteries can potentially increase to 400-500 Wh/kg, which is comparable to or even higher than that of lithium-ion batteries. The voltage can also be increased to 1.6-1.8 V.

 

Which emerging battery technology will define our future?

Innovation Origins - Emerging battery technologies hold great potential to impact various industries, from energy transition and electric vehicles to medical applications.

 

AI generated image of an experiment to generate the best possible battery © MidJourney Author profile picture

From cars to medical appliances, contemporary life relies extensively on batteries. The ability to store energy efficiently is crucial for powering devices ranging from minuscule gadgets to large SUVs. Consequently, there is a continuous endeavor to enhance battery performance. What does the cutting-edge battery technology landscape look like? What breakthroughs can we anticipate in the near future?

 

Oxygen-ion batteries: a new long-life solution

Researchers at the University of Technology Vienna have developed an oxygen-ion battery that offers several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. Although oxygen-ion batteries have lower energy densities, their storage capacity can be regenerated, potentially enabling an extended service life. These batteries are constructed from incombustible materials and do not require rare elements, making them an excellent choice for large energy storage systems that store electrical energy from renewable sources.

 

Stretchable and biodegradable batteries for healthcare

Austrian researchers at Johannes Kepler University have created the first stretchable and biodegradable battery. This innovative battery is water-soluble, easily broken down in the body, and designed for use in wearables and medical implants. Existing batteries often contain toxic metals and are difficult to recycle, but this breakthrough overcomes these limitations by using elastomer, magnesium, molybdenum oxide, and a biodegradable gel in its construction.

 

Although zinc-air batteries have a higher energy density and potentially higher specific energy than lithium-ion batteries, further improvements are needed to match the specific energy and voltage levels of lithium-ion batteries. The innovation by Tohoku University researchers is a significant step towards achieving this goal, boosting the potential of zinc-air batteries to approximately 2.25 V and a high power density of 318 mW/cm².

Potential near-future applications

With their higher energy density and improved performance, zinc-air batteries have the potential to become a competitive alternative to lithium-ion batteries in the near future. Possible applications for zinc-air batteries include electric vehicle batteries, portable electronics, and utility-scale energy storage systems. Zinc-air batteries are already used to replace now-discontinued mercury batteries commonly used in photo cameras and hearing aids.

In addition, the AZUL electrocatalyst and tandem electrolyte system developed by the Tohoku University researchers show high stability and excellent oxygen reduction reaction performance in an ultralow pH region. The tandem-electrolyte cells demonstrated a cell voltage of over 1.0 V at a high discharge current density of 200 mA/cm², and the output power density reached 1139 mWh/g(Zn) at 100 mA/cm² discharge. This innovation could pave the way for the use of zinc-air batteries as a drive power source in cutting-edge devices, such as drones and other advanced electronics.

 

 

 

 

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