Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

All-in-one solar rechargeable Zinc-air battery enabling direct storage of solar energy

Project description

Transforming solar energy storage for a green future

Solar rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries (ZABs) hold immense promise for storing solar energy efficiently. However, challenges like low efficiency and instability due to side reactions hinder their widespread use. The MSCA-funded HESOZA project aims at revolutionising ZABs by introducing a bifunctional high entropy material (HEM) photocathode-catalyst, a gradient nanoporous fluorinated zinc-tin (FZT) anode, and optimised electrolyte composition. Specifically, by optimising the electrolyte composition, the project aims to decrease ZABs’ charge overpotential below the theoretical voltage of 1.65 V. This approach not only addresses existing issues but propels solar energy storage into a new era, aligning with EU's goals for a reliable and green energy transition at a low cost.

Objective

As photovoltaics (PV) technology develops rapidly, solar energy conversion and storage devices such as solar rechargeable batteries are also becoming more viable to compensate for intermittent sunlight. Considering their working life, cost, energy density, safety and eco-friendliness, rechargeable Znair batteries (ZABs) are regarded as a promising candidate for next generation advanced energy devices. Solar rechargeable ZABs would effectively convert and store solar energy in one two-electrode battery, simplifying the configuration and decreasing the external energy loss. Yet, there are several major challenges to widespread adoption of solar rechargeable ZABs: (i) low efficiency due to lack of high performance photoactive electrode capable of light harvesting and energy storage, (ii) instability and low cycle life due to anode-electrolyte side reactions. This proposal will develop for the first-time ZABs with solar-charging capabilities through combinatorial designing of a bifunctional high entropy material (HEM) photocathode-catalyst, fabricating a gradient nanoporous fluorinated zinc-tin (FZT) anode and optimizing electrolyte composition. Such a configuration enables to decrease the charge overpotential of ZABs below the theoretical voltageof 1.65 V. More importantly, it directly stores solar-to-electrochemical energy. Therefore, the main goal of this proposal is to boost the efficiency and stability of solar rechargeable ZABs by taking advantages of HEM concept i.e. numerous active sites, sluggish diffusion, and enabling much improved plating/stripping cycling on FZT anode through a 2e/O2 process in nonalkaline aqueous electrolyte. HESOZAs achievements will make advancements on cutting edge direct solar-to-electrochemical energy storage in a simple two-electrode cell configuration that are pivotal to reach EUs environmental targets for a reliable and green energy transition at low-cost.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 189 687,36
Address
KAISERSTRASSE 12
76131 Karlsruhe
Germany

See on map

Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Karlsruhe, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Partners (1)

My booklet 0 0