New Zinc Battery Beats Lithium-Ion in Every Performance Category

Dowanol is a flexible solvent that works with almost all types of resins and oils. It has low toxicity, a small impact on the environment, and is very affordable, costing just $10 per liter. Recent research from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, has uncovered a potentially revolutionary application for this widely accessible compound.

Addressing Battery Shortcomings

Essentially, all the issues that are hindering the broad use of zinc-sulfur batteries in electric vehicles, large energy storage systems, and portable devices can be resolved by using 1-methoxy-2-propanol, which is the scientific name for Dowanol. This improvement was made possible by adding another component, zinc iodide.

Improved Battery Performance

Tests in the lab revealed that these battery cells demonstrate improved conductivity and solid stability. In addition, the formation of dendrites—crystalline structures that can lead to short circuits and, in extreme cases, dangerous fires—can be significantly reduced.

Boosted Energy Density

On top of that, the already remarkable energy density of zinc-sulfur batteries has been enhanced by an additional 20%. This leads to an energy density of nearly 470 Wh per kilogram, which is nearly equal to the best solid-state batteries currently available and much better than standard lithium-ion batteries.

Cost-Effective Production

Furthermore, making zinc batteries is already quite economical. Their cell design is relatively simple, and the raw materials—zinc and sulfur—are easy to find at low costs, typically just a few dollars per kilogram. The use of the widely accessible and inexpensive Dowanol further increases the economic viability of this new battery technology.

Attractive Features for Applications

The combination of improved safety, lightweight characteristics, and high capacity makes these batteries especially appealing for electric vehicles and other uses. The main hurdle now is to transform these encouraging research results into a commercially successful, mass-produced zinc battery for the general market.

Case Western Reserve University, Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

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