Zinc-air rechargeable batteries are subject to increased interest because of their unique advantages: high energy density, the use of a zinc (as the single electrode of the cell), which is cheap, non-toxic, working in humid environment and in water electrolytes, with low self-discharge, recyclable, providing a simple design and long "calendar life."
The main objective of the proposal is the development of an innovative design of rechargeable zinc-air cell with a carbon-free gas-diffusion electrode with increased lifecycle (number of cycles) for accumulation of energy from photovoltaics.
The presence of carbon in the gas diffusion electrode is reported as the main factor for the low life cycle (low number of discharge / charge cycles) of the system, however, the research progress is still unsatisfactory.
In INOVI two original and innovative ideas have been proposed as problem solving approaches:
Development of an innovative design of rechargeable zinc-air cell with a non-carbon gas-diffusion electrode with long life time (number of cycles).
The main objectives of the INOVI can be classified as fundamental basic research with a strong emphasis on the characterization of initial materials and components by using of standard methods for electrochemical testing (mainly cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge characteristics). One of INOVI’s goals is to introduce advanced electrochemical analysis methods developed in IEES as well as the prospective neutron-based methods for characterization of the bifunctional catalysts at atomic level.
Although the INOVI’s main objectives are of fundamental origin, they have a longer term perspective and define its practical application – an operating battery for energy storage from photovoltaics. It is associated with the measures for decarbonization of the Planet and concerns not only the European and global industry, but also the Bulgarian industry, which ensures more possibilities for further development of the topic.
The project implementation is planned to overcome Technological Readiness Levels 2 and 3. It will end with the development of a zinc-air cell laboratory prototype, which will serve as a basis for further development of the system.