Researchers at the University of Adelaide have announced an innovation in energy storage technology. They introduced a novel electrode design for liquid zinc–iodine batteries. The design promises to improve large-scale grid storage applications’ performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
The new battery uses a dry electrode made by pressing powdered materials together. Normally, they use wet or gel-like ones in regular batteries. This method effectively improves the performance compared to traditional lithium-ion and iodine-based cathodes.
A challenge addressed by the team, which was led by Professor Shizhang Qiao, was the issue of dendrite formation. Spiky zinc structures that develop during charging can reduce battery life and even cause short circuits.
By adding 1,3,5-trioxane to the electrolyte, researchers activated the formation of a flexible protective layer on the zinc electrode. This layer controls dendrite growth and enhances battery stability.
Lab tests showed outstanding durability. Pouch cells kept 88.6% of their capacity after 750 cycles, and coin-cell prototypes retained 99.8% over 500 cycles. Moreover, synchrotron infrared imaging confirmed how the protective layer forms during operation and improves the interface integrity.
When compared to lithium-ion batteries, the new zinc–iodine technology offers many benefits. They provide higher safety, lower self-discharge, and reduced shuttle loss.
These features make this technology suitable for utility-scale storage, microgrids, and other on-demand energy applications.
The team plans to move from lab testing to large-scale production using roll-to-roll manufacturing. By using lighter current collectors and optimizing electrolyte composition, they aim to double energy density from around 45 Wh/kg to 90 Wh/kg.
The new batteries could work just as well as current lithium batteries for storing energy in power grids. It is a strong alternative.
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