TUM researchers have developed a new chemical method to increase zinc battery lifespan and improve energy storage.
The new method could extend the lifespan of zinc batteries by several orders of magnitude.
They could now endure several hundred thousand charge and discharge cycles instead of just a few thousand cycles.
This method could be key to the transition to renewable energy, which requires efficient methods for storing large amounts of electricity.
New protective layer is the key to zinc battery lifespan
The key to this innovation is a special protective layer for the zinc anodes of the batteries. This layer addresses previous issues, such as the growth of needle-like zinc structures—known as zinc dendrites—as well as unwanted chemical side reactions that trigger hydrogen formation and corrosion.
The research team, led by Professor Roland Fischer, Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at the TUM School of Natural Sciences, uses a unique material for this purpose: a porous organic polymer called TpBD-2F.
This material forms a stable, ultra-thin, and highly ordered film on the zinc anode, allowing zinc ions to flow efficiently through nano channels while keeping water away from the anode.
Zinc batteries as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Da Lei, PhD student and lead author of the research, explained: “Zinc-ion batteries with this new protective layer could replace lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage applications, such as in combination with solar or wind power plants.
“They last longer, are safer, and zinc is both cheaper and more readily available than lithium.”
While lithium remains the first choice for mobile applications like electric vehicles and portable devices, its higher costs and environmental impact make it less attractive for large-scale energy storage.
Professor Fischer added: “We have shown that the chemical approach developed to extend zinc battery lifespan not only works but is also controllable.
“As fundamental researchers, we are primarily interested in new scientific principles—and here we have discovered one.”
Fischer concluded: “We have already developed a first prototype in the form of a button cell. I see no reason why our findings couldn’t be translated into larger applications.
“Now, it’s up to engineers to take up the idea and develop appropriate production processes.”
