Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are essential for many modern devices, from electric cars to wearable tech. However, fresh research indicates that zinc-based batteries might offer a more sustainable and budget-friendly alternative.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power everything from electric vehicles to wearable devices. But new research from Case Western Reserve University suggests that a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative may lie in zinc-based batteries.
A recent study published in Angewandte Chemie reveals a significant advancement towards developing high-performance, low-cost zinc-sulfur batteries.
“This research is a notable milestone in creating safer and more environmentally friendly energy storage solutions,” explained Chase Cao, a leading researcher and assistant professor at Case School of Engineering. “Aqueous zinc-sulfur batteries have the potential to power various applications—ranging from renewable energy systems to portable electronics—while having a decreased environmental impact and using more readily available materials.”
While lithium-ion batteries are common, they tend to be costly, depend on rare materials, and have a complicated manufacturing process. On the other hand, zinc-sulfur batteries use more abundant, affordable materials and come with fewer environmental and safety issues.
Despite their advantages, obstacles such as corrosion of zinc anodes, low conductivity, and the formation of dendrites have previously limited their commercial use.
Cao’s team tackled these challenges by adding two important substances: propylene glycol methyl ether and zinc-iodide. This approach resulted in several vital improvements: a 20% increase in energy capacity, better conductivity and stability, and reduced dendrite growth.
If dendrites connect the battery’s positive and negative sides, it can short circuit and potentially ignite, which is a significant risk associated with lithium-ion batteries.
“These additives not only boost battery efficiency but also alleviate long-standing safety issues by reducing dendrite formation,” remarked Guiyin Xu, a professor at Donghua University in Shanghai and co-senior author. “The outcome is a compact, denser battery that can be recharged numerous times with minimal degradation.”
The breakthrough’s significance goes beyond cost and safety. Zinc-sulfur batteries boast a higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, allowing for smaller, longer-lasting products. This advancement could greatly benefit renewable energy storage and devices that require reliability and efficiency.
Cao’s main motivation in improving battery technology is to support innovative soft robotics and advanced sensing systems that demand high-capacity, long-lasting batteries. For instance, he is working on biologically inspired swimming robots that depend on robust, lightweight batteries to complete long missions without failure—the robot must not run out of power during operation. As head of the Soft Machines and Electronics Laboratory at CWRU, Cao is also exploring new applications for space exploration, agriculture, and mitigating the dangers of space debris.
This research involved collaboration with experts from Fudan University in Shanghai and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
