New catalyst for zinc-air batteries

Scientists have synthesised a bi-functional catalyst made of nanocarbon material that can make rechargeable zinc-air batteries used in making electric vehicle propulsion more efficient and durable. India is looking for alternatives to lithium-based batteries, and zinc, sodium and aluminium batteries are under fast-paced research. Metal-air batteries, where air is the cathode, are gaining ground, but the research is still nascent. The efficiency of such batteries, particularly zinc-air, is dependent on the cathode material. Binary metals are essential for achieving bifunctionality in electrocatalysts to be rendered as cathode materials in rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The major hindrance is that the active metal centres are more likely to etch out if not properly bound to the substrate. This leads to uncertainty in the metal-active units, which impede the catalysts. Scientists at…

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