Resolving Risks of Existing Battery Systems
Focus on Zinc-Based Aqueous Ion Batteries
The research team led by Professor Hong Seung-hyun at Kookmin University announced on the 9th that they have developed a technology to improve the performance and stability of aqueous batteries through surface modification research of zinc metal electrodes for aqueous zinc batteries, which are gaining attention as next-generation energy storage and battery materials.
From the left, Professor Cha Pil-ryeong, Professor Hong Seung-hyun, and student Jeong Hee-bin Photo provided by Kookmin University
This study focused on solving safety issues that may arise in electrochemical energy storage systems based on aqueous electrolyte media, which are widely used in electric vehicles and portable devices.
Existing battery systems carry the risk of relying on production from a few countries, and the thermal instability caused by the decomposition of organic electrolytes has been pointed out as a risk factor that can lead to fire disasters in lithium batteries.
The research team focused on zinc (Zn)-based aqueous ion batteries (AZIBs). Zinc is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and can improve the thermal stability of the system through electrolyte solutions containing water.
With the help of surface analysis from Jaigo Korea, the research team proposed a strategy to rapidly fabricate zinc electrodes (ZnSE) by utilizing the property that zinc crystal planes are advantageous for improving corrosion resistance. These zinc electrodes were confirmed to have excellent charge-discharge stability.
Professor Hong said, “This research presents a new approach that can significantly enhance the performance and stability of zinc-based aqueous ion batteries, contributing to the development of future energy storage systems. The research results are expected to play an important role in expanding the range of energy storage systems used in electric vehicles, stationary systems, and portable devices, and in increasing their stability.”
The study involved Professor Hong’s team and Professor Cha Pil-ryeong’s team at Kookmin University, Professor Ahn Geon-hyeong’s team at Gyeongsang National University, and Professor Cha Seung-nam’s team at Sungkyunkwan University, with the research led by master’s student Jeong Hee-bin at Kookmin University. The research was supported by the Basic Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Process Combination Design Platform Project of the National Research Foundation of Korea. The research results were published online in the prestigious materials science journal, Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
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