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Batteries

Breakthrough in Sustainable Energy Storage: Researchers Develop High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at Gebze Technical University in Kocaeli, Turkiye, have made a significant contribution to the field of sustainable energy storage with the development of a high-performance aqueous zinc-ion battery. The research, funded by the Bosphorus Program and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK), has yielded a rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion battery (ARZIB) with exceptional safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers have developed a novel water-based, cross-linked binder system composed of xanthan gum and citric acid (c-XG-CA) that enhances Mn2+ adsorption capacity and improves electrode adhesion.
  • The c-XG-CA binder increases hydrophilicity and has been shown to improve the stability of the battery during cycling, resulting in superior capacity retention (73% after 200 cycles at C/2).
  • The novel binder system has been integrated into electrodes using a hydrothermal method and has been characterized through FTIR and DFT analyses.
  • The resulting ARZIB cathode achieves higher diffusion coefficients and exhibits reversible Zn-buserite and Znx(OTf)y(OH)2x-y nH2O phases post-cycling.
  • This research demonstrates the potential of the c-XG-CA binder as a promising alternative to conventional binders for high-performance ARZIBs.

Statistics:

  • 73% capacity retention after 200 cycles at C/2.
  • Higher diffusion coefficients achieved by the novel ARZIB cathode.
  • 4.4-fold increase in Mn2+ adsorption capacity using the c-XG-CA binder compared to PVDF.

Sources:

  • "A Sustainable Biopolymer Binder Enables the Fabrication of High-performance B-mno 2 Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-ion Storage", Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2025.
  • NewsRx. New Sustainability Research Findings from Gebze Technical University Described (A Sustainable Biopolymer Binder Enables the Fabrication of High-performance B-mno 2 Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-ion Storage). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 31, 2025; p 399.

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