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Novel Zinc-ion capacitors with high energy and power densities

Batteries have high energy density leading to more storage but lack power density leading to a slow discharge rate. Capacitors, on the other hand, have high power density but lack energy density. A combination of the two would lead to fast charging and long life energy storage. The project team will develop high energy and power density energy storage device using sustainable materials. 

We will be developing Zn-ion capacitor (ZIC) based on novel electrode chemistry.

The main aims of the project are to:

  1. design and develop hybrid cathodes with transition metal oxides to develop high energy and power density batteries: We will be using thermodynamic calculations to predict the cathode chemistry through phase diagram calculations
  2. testing the cathodes with novel vitamin-based electrolytes to develop ZIC: We will be using bio-ionic liquid based electrolytes which are environmentally benign to test the ZICs
  3. in collaboration with Diamond light source, develop in situ electrochemical cells to evaluate Zn chemistry at the cathode and any impedimental reactions: In situ electrochemical X-ray absorbance spectroscopy will be used to understand the reaction mechanism at the cathode/electrolyte interface from which we can identify the rate limiting steps
  4. modulating the cathode to mitigate the impedimental reactions and improve the ZIC performance: Based on step 3, modifications in the cathode or electrolyte will be made to improve the ZIC performance
  5. engaging with project partners (TWI) for scale-up and implementation: Once high energy and power density ZIC has been tested and verified at lab scale, the design and scale-up process will be undertaken with TWI.

Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project


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Project last modified 12/10/2022