Research Projects

The increasing energy demand and climate change are driving the global pursuit of alternative energy technologies, including rechargeable battery technology, particularly Li-ion batteries. However, these batteries face challenges such as low energy density, high cost, and safety issues. Metal-air batteries, particularly zinc-air batteries, have gained attention due to their high theoretical energy density and ability to breathe air from the atmosphere as a free fuel. One major challenge in rechargeable Zn-air batteries is the non-uniform dissolution and deposition of the Zn anode due to dendrite formation and corrosion. To address these issues, a novel interface engineering approach is proposed. The anode/electrolyte interface can be modified with an intermediary surface that alters interactions for better wetting, allowing easy attachment of zinc ions. Coatings have been tried as a physical barrier to protect the Zn anode. Recently, a unique class of materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), has been explored to modify the interface and improve the life of Zn anodes. The microporous structure of MOFs provides improved and intimate wetting between Zn and the electrolyte, creating a zincophilic interface with reduced charge-transfer resistance. This facilitates uniform plating of Zn during the charging process, minimizing dendritic growth.