Rechargeable zinc-air batteries: Promising tech in the shift from fossil fuels

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries: Promising tech in the shift from fossil fuels 

Miklos Bolza

 MAY 19, 2021 

As the humanity moves towards the renewable energy and a more sustainable economy, storage solutions with high energy density and low cost will be required. A recent scientific review found that rechargeable zinc-air batteries with neutral instead of alkaline electrolytes are one option that holds plenty of promise in building greener energy solutions in future.

The review, written by researchers from the University of Sydney and published in journal EnergyChem, looked at the evolution of the zinc-air battery from when it was first patented in 1878 until now, noting that while these batteries were first made with neutral electrolytes, today’s versions switched to an alkaline solution which provided higher energy densities but which caused “critical obstacles” in reaching a long battery life.

As well as reviewing the evolution of this critical battery technology, the researchers, guided by the University of Sydney’s , Dr Zengxia Pei, also outlined the research topics they suggest should be examined in future studies in an effort to put rechargeable zinc-air batteries back into the mainstream.

“Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (R-ZABs) are attractive for many essential energy storage applications — from portable electronics, electric vehicles to incorporation of renewable energy due to their high energy storage density, abundant raw materials, and inherent safety. However, alkaline electrolytes cause critical obstacles in realising a long battery life. Thus, neutral electrolytes are attracting growing interest,” the researchers wrote.