TUM Researchers Develop New Method to Boost Zinc Battery Lifespan, Advancing Large-Scale Energy Storage

TUM Researchers Develop New Method to Boost Zinc Battery Lifespan, Advancing Large-Scale Energy Storage

(IN BRIEF) Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new chemical method that dramatically extends the lifespan of zinc-ion batteries, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of charge cycles. This innovation uses a special protective layer on the zinc anodes, preventing issues like dendrite formation and corrosion. Positioned as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries enhanced by this method could be ideal for large-scale energy storage, particularly in renewable energy applications.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 29-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a groundbreaking method that significantly extends the lifespan of zinc-ion batteries, potentially enabling them to endure several hundred thousand charge cycles. This advancement, achieved through a specialized protective layer for the zinc anodes, prevents common issues such as zinc dendrite formation, hydrogen generation, and corrosion, which have previously limited battery durability. The protective layer, a porous organic polymer called TpBD-2F, forms a stable, ultra-thin film on the anode, allowing efficient ion flow while keeping water away from the zinc surface.

Lead researcher Da Lei, Ph.D. student, suggests this innovation positions zinc-ion batteries as a viable, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage applications tied to renewable sources like solar and wind power. Prof. Roland A. Fischer emphasized the research’s scientific impact, noting, “This chemical approach has proven controllable and effective. We believe it has immense potential for scaling up beyond the lab.”

This development builds on interdisciplinary work by TUM researchers in chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, and data science, supported by the e-conversion Excellence Cluster. The research, published in Advanced Energy Materials, opens new pathways for engineers to advance production processes for zinc-ion batteries.

Media Contacts:

Corporate Communications Center
Ulrich Meyer
presse@tum.de

Contacts to this article:

Prof. Dr. Roland A. Fischer
Technical University of Munich
Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry
Tel. +49 89 289 – 13080
roland.fischer@tum.de
https://www.ch.nat.tum.de/amc

SOURCE: Technical University of Munich