Zinc-air batteries: an alternative to lithium

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

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:14 AM PT

Zinc-air batteries: an alternative to lithium

Researchers in Australia have made a breakthrough in battery technology, developing zinc-air batteries that they claim outperform the widely used lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the battery storage market, but they have known shortcomings in terms of cost, resource demands, and safety. Engineers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth led a study that demonstrated the superior performance of zinc-air batteries compared to lithium-ion batteries across various metrics. The research has been published in Ecomat.

Dr Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, a chemical and materials engineer at ECU, explained the appeal of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs): "ZABs are becoming more appealing because of their low cost, environmental friendliness, high theoretical energy density, and inherent safety. With the rise of long-range vehicles and electric aircraft, there is an increasing need for safer, more cost-effective, and high-performance battery systems that can surpass the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries."

ZABs use 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, has been able to overcome these limitations by incorporating new materials into the battery design, including carbon, iron, and cobalt-based minerals. This resulted in ZABs with 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 the significance of the new design: "The new design has significantly reduced the internal resistance of the batteries, resulting in a high peak power density and exceptional stability. The voltage of the batteries is close to the theoretical voltage, which further enhances their performance."

In addition to their improved performance, the resources required to produce ZABs are expected to result in reduced costs and environmental impact compared to current supply chains. Dr Azhar highlighted the advantages of using natural resources such as zinc from Australia and air: "By utilizing abundant resources like zinc and air, we can enhance the cost-effectiveness and viability of these innovative zinc-air batteries for the future. This becomes a highly viable and reliable energy storage solution."