Scientists increase efficiency of zinc batteries to 99.99 percent
Engineers from the University of Maryland and Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new electrolyte structure that significantly enhances the efficiency of zinc batteries to a record 99.99%. Led by Professor Chunsheng Wang and Dr. Detsjian Dong, the research team addressed fundamental issues that previously limited the lifespan of these batteries due to the breakdown of water molecules and the growth of zinc dendrites. They created low-concentration aqueous electrolytes that maintain high conductivity and low cost, utilizing fluorinated anions and salts with a donor number greater than 18. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the new batteries achieved over 1,000 cycles with an energy density of up to 130 Wh/kg while maintaining exceptional coulombic efficiency.
Engineers from the University of Maryland and Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed an electrolyte structure that provides record-breaking efficiency for zinc batteries. This was reported by Ixbt.com.
A research team led by Professor Chunsheng Wang and Dr. Dejian Duan has found a solution to a fundamental problem with zinc batteries. Previously, such power cells suffered from short lifespans due to the decomposition of water molecules and the growth of zinc dendrites.
The scientists created low-concentration aqueous electrolytes that do not lag behind expensive and viscous compositions, while maintaining high conductivity and low cost.
The researchers used fluorinated anions and salts with a donor number higher than 18. This allowed the negatively charged ions to form a unique molecular structure that binds not only with zinc ions but also with surrounding water molecules.
During laboratory experiments, the new batteries demonstrated a coulombic efficiency of 99.99 percent over more than 1,000 operating cycles at an energy density of up to 130 Wh/kg.
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