Swedish researchers have developed an inexpensive zinc battery that uses not lithium, but zinc and lignin, a byproduct of the paper industry. These researchers are from Linköping University, Karlstad University and Chalmers University.
Difference between zinc and lithium battery
With the increasing adoption of renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar, Demand for energy storage options has grown significantly, therefore, currently, these needs are mainly covered with batteries that contain components such as lithium and cobalt and although these batteries have the best energy density achieved so far, the supply of these minerals faces serious environmental and human rights problems. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries are difficult to recycle, making them unsustainable in the long term.
Therefore, zinc-based battery technology is widely used in the market, although only for non-rechargeable applications. Lithium-based solutions are preferred due to their ability to store larger amounts of energy, although they are also prone to fires and explosions.
In contrast, zinc batteries are much safer and, in the long term, could replace lithium-ion batteries in rechargeable applications . It is for this reason that researchers at the LiU Organic Electronics Laboratory decided to use zinc and lignin in the design of their batteries.
Advantages of zinc battery
LiU researcher Ziyauddin Khan highlighted that “our sustainable battery offers a promising alternative where energy density is not critical .” However, the main reason zinc batteries have not been widely used is the reactivity of zinc with water in the electrolyte, which leads to the formation of hydrogen gas and makes the zinc unusable.
To solve this problem, Swedish researchers used a different electrolyte, called water-in-polymer salt electrolyte (WiPSE) , and showed that the stability of zinc can be increased. According to Khan, “both zinc and lignin are very cheap and the battery is easily recyclable. If you calculate the cost per cycle of use, it becomes an extremely cheap battery compared to lithium-ion batteries.”
Compared to other zinc batteries that discharge in a few hours, this new battery can maintain its charge for a week. Additionally, the battery is stable and retains 80 percent of its performance even after 8,000 cycles.
New battery: green, economical and expandable
The battery designed by the Swedish team is currently small in size, although the technology can easily be scaled up to the size of a car battery. In terms of energy density, these batteries are comparable to lead-acid batteries, but without toxic components, making them more environmentally friendly.
Finally, Reverant Crispin, professor of organic electronics at Linköping University , stressed the importance of this technology being available at low cost in low-income countries that are adopting renewable energy. According to Crispin, “When they build their infrastructure, they need to start with green technology immediately. If unsustainable technology is introduced, it will be used by billions of people, leading to a climate catastrophe.”
Advancement and development in zinc batteries can contribute to environmental sustainability and can also drive economic development in resource-limited regions, providing a reliable and affordable energy source for rural and remote communities that currently do not have access to energy storage solutions. advanced energy.
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Source: interestingengineering
Photo: liu.se
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