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As we know, zinc-air batteries have a zinc negative electrode and a positive electrode composed of air. However, these don't perform very well and don't last long, leading to a limited power output. But that's changed with a new design. Edith Cowan University researchers claim electric vehicles may run better on zinc-air batteries than lithium-ion batteries.
With their breakthrough, the team can use carbon, cobalt minerals, and less costly iron as materials for zinc-air batteries. Additionally, zinc-air batteries are more energy-dense than lithium-ion batteries. That means they could provide electric vehicles with a longer driving range.
"Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are becoming more appealing because of their low cost, environmental friendliness, high theoretical energy density, and inherent safety," Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Azhar said. "With the emergence of next-generation long-range vehicles and electric aircraft in the market, there is an increasing need for safer, more cost-effective, and high-performance battery systems that can surpass the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries."
This also benefits consumers because they're more affordable to manufacture and last longer compared to lithium-ion batteries. However, the team still needs to work out some issues with these batteries before widely using them. For example, the performance can take a plunge due to the air electrode degrading. Plus, zinc-air batteries aren't as efficient when exposed to low temperatures.
"The new design has been so efficient it suppressed the internal resistance of batteries, and their voltage was close to the theoretical voltage, which resulted in a high peak power density and ultra-long stability," Dr. Azhar said. "In addition to revolutionizing the energy storage industry, this breakthrough contributes significantly to building a sustainable society, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigating environmental impacts."
Although the study is still in its infancy, the team believes it could pave the way to developing commercially viable zinc-air batteries for electric vehicles.
While solar, wind, and hydro energy are crucial for the clean energy future, they aren't completely reliable because they're not intermittent energy sources. "Due to the abundance of zinc available in countries such as Australia and the ubiquity of air, this becomes a highly viable and reliable energy storage solution," Dr. Azhar said.
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