Zinc-air batteries: A viable alternative to lithium

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Researchers in Australia have developed zinc-air batteries that they claim can outperform lithium-ion batteries in terms of cost, environmental impact, and performance. The batteries use zinc and air electrodes and have been enhanced with new materials such as carbon, iron, and cobalt-based minerals. They deliver a high peak power density, low voltage gap, and an ultra-long lifespan.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 4:26 PM PT

Zinc-air batteries: A viable alternative to lithium

Researchers in Australia have made significant advancements in battery technology, developing zinc-air batteries that could potentially outperform the widely used lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the battery storage market, but they have well-known drawbacks in terms of cost, resource demands, and safety. Engineers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth conducted a study that demonstrated the superior performance of zinc-air batteries over lithium-ion batteries in various aspects. The findings of their research have been published in Ecomat.

Dr Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, a chemical and materials engineer at ECU, highlighted the advantages of zinc-air batteries, stating that they are attractive due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, high theoretical energy density, and inherent safety. He emphasized the increasing need for battery systems that can surpass the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries, especially with the rise of long-range vehicles and electric aircraft in the market.

Zinc-air batteries utilize a zinc negative electrode and an air positive electrode. However, until now, they have suffered from limited power output and a short lifespan. The ECU team, led by Dr Azhar, tackled these limitations by incorporating new materials into the battery design, including carbon, iron, and cobalt-based minerals. This resulted in zinc-air batteries that exhibited a high peak power density of 228 mW cm−2, a low voltage gap of 0.77 V, and an ultra-long lifespan of 950 hours.

Dr Azhar explained that the new battery design significantly reduced the internal resistance of the batteries, allowing for a voltage close to the theoretical voltage. This breakthrough led to the high peak power density and long-term stability of the zinc-air batteries. Additionally, the resources required to manufacture these batteries are expected to be more cost-effective and have a lower environmental impact compared to current supply chains.

Dr Azhar further emphasized the advantages of using natural resources, such as zinc from Australia and air, in the production of zinc-air batteries. This approach enhances the cost-effectiveness and viability of these innovative batteries for future energy storage solutions. With the abundance of zinc available in countries like Australia and the ubiquity of air, zinc-air batteries present a highly viable and reliable option for energy storage.