Research Projects

Zinc-ion batteries offer a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, offering advantages such as reduced manufacturing complexities, availability, cost, and safety. However, the energy density and power density are expected to be lower than lithium-ion batteries. A non-aqueous rechargeable Zn ion battery based on a dual electrolyte and electrodes composed of Prussian blue analogs of Zn, Fe, and Cu and their compounds has shown stable and good performance. The project aims to develop a zinc or alkali cation insertion type cathode material for high capacity, high voltage, and long-term cyclability, and develop an efficient electrolyte system consisting of more than one cation. The synthesis of the analogs is simple and solution-based techniques will be used. The project will focus on cyclic stability and kinetics of intercalation or deintercalation in non-aqueous electrolytes and understanding the effect of other cations on intercalation or deintercalation. The Zn-ion battery may be useful for small-scale energy storage applications based on low-cost cathode materials.