GIST researchers develop stable aqueous zinc metal battery technology

A joint research team from GIST, the Korea Institute of Energy Research, and Ewha Womans University has developed a new electrolyte design principle to enhance the stability and lifespan of aqueous zinc metal batteries. By adding complex oxoanions to the electrolyte, the researchers successfully suppressed electrode damage and hydrogen evolution, which are common issues in these batteries.

The complex oxoanions form a protective layer on the zinc electrode surface during charging and discharging without altering the overall electrolyte properties. This layer prevents the direct reaction between water and zinc, inhibiting zinc oxidation and ensuring uniform zinc deposition. In tests, the zinc-vanadium oxide battery maintained 96.55% of its initial capacity after 5,000 charge-discharge cycles, significantly outperforming conventional electrolytes which retained only 46.40% under the same conditions.

This technology offers a safer and more economical alternative for large-scale energy storage systems (ESS) because it uses water-based electrolytes instead of volatile organic solvents. The research team has confirmed stable operation in pouch cells, suggesting potential for large-scale application.