Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HIPERZAB (High performing electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries for sustainable mid-term energy storage)
Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30
The EU Green Deal aims for climate neutrality by 2050, targeting a 40% renewable energy share by 2030 through the ‘FIT for 55%’ package. Achieving these goals requires advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage (EES) systems to balance power generation and demand efficiently. Current storage solutions face challenges related to cost, safety, storage duration, size, and environmental impact, especially for mid-to-long-term needs. Metal-air batteries offer promising solutions with aqueous electrolytes, abundant materials like zinc, and high energy density. However, they are limited to 4-12 hours of storage and require costly and complex recharging mechanisms.
In this context, the main goal of HIPERZAB is to develop an Electrically Rechargeable Zn-Air Battery (ERZAB) ideal for mid-term storage (days/weeks) to be coupled with renewables and electrolysers. HIPERZAB aims to achieve a paradigm shift in battery performance, lifetime, safety, sustainability, and costs of liquid electrolyte-based Zn-Air Batteries (ZABs) through the investigation of three innovative components:
- 3D porous Zn/biopolymer composite anode,
- Eco-friendly bilayer gel biopolymer electrolyte,
- CRM-free structured cathode.
The ultimate goal is to integrate these components into a single device with a new gel-electrode-assembly (GEA) battery design, featuring a channelled current collector for water/air management during cycling.
HIPERZAB will address research challenges by focusing on understanding the mechanisms behind these innovative components. This will involve developing advanced operando techniques and atomistic as well as multiscale modelling for the discharge/charge processes, and controlling/monitoring the durability and performance of materials and components.
By overcoming current limitations in EES systems, HIPERZAB aims to significantly impact renewable energy integration, providing more sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions that align with the EU's strategic climate goals.
In this context, the main goal of HIPERZAB is to develop an Electrically Rechargeable Zn-Air Battery (ERZAB) ideal for mid-term storage (days/weeks) to be coupled with renewables and electrolysers. HIPERZAB aims to achieve a paradigm shift in battery performance, lifetime, safety, sustainability, and costs of liquid electrolyte-based Zn-Air Batteries (ZABs) through the investigation of three innovative components:
- 3D porous Zn/biopolymer composite anode,
- Eco-friendly bilayer gel biopolymer electrolyte,
- CRM-free structured cathode.
The ultimate goal is to integrate these components into a single device with a new gel-electrode-assembly (GEA) battery design, featuring a channelled current collector for water/air management during cycling.
HIPERZAB will address research challenges by focusing on understanding the mechanisms behind these innovative components. This will involve developing advanced operando techniques and atomistic as well as multiscale modelling for the discharge/charge processes, and controlling/monitoring the durability and performance of materials and components.
By overcoming current limitations in EES systems, HIPERZAB aims to significantly impact renewable energy integration, providing more sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions that align with the EU's strategic climate goals.
WP2
We have developed a comprehensive document that analyzes cell and component specifications for the HIPERZAB system. These estimations are tailored to different end-user profiles.
WP3
For the acidic layers, various natural-based materials have been explored, including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), alginate, and agarose. The formulation processes for these membranes have been identified, and their macroscopic physical properties characterized. Symmetric cells incorporating these materials have been tested, with cycling at a current density of 0.5 mA/cm² for up to 1,400 hours. Initial testing has also been performed with a calcium vanadate (CaV₆O₁₆)-based cathode material. For the alkaline layer, the focus has primarily been on agarose, with efforts to develop different crosslinking chemistries aimed at reducing electrolyte loss during aging, which contributes to the decay of electrochemical properties. Initial symmetric coin cell tests using zinc foil have been completed.
WP4
For the cathode catalyst development, an initial screening of synthesis and characterization for the High-Entropy Oxide (HEO) Critical Raw Material (CRM)-free catalyst was performed on the La(0.8)Sr(0.2)Mn(x)Fe(y)Co(z)CoO(3+d) family. The synthesized candidates were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), ellipsometry, Direct Current Optical Emission Spectroscopy (DC-OES), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to determine the stoichiometry of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), as well as the lattice parameters, characteristic Raman bands, and surface roughness. These observables were subsequently used to develop a machine learning model optimized via Bayesian optimization.
WP5
For the acidic layers, different natural based materials have been explored, including CMC, alginate and agarose. The formulation process of the various membranes has been identified and their macroscopic physical properties characterized. Symmetric cells have been tested with the different materials, with cycling at 0.5 mA/cm2 up to 1400 hours. Initial testing with a CaV6O16 based cathode material has been performed. For the alkaline layer, studies has been focused mainly on Agarose and developing different crosslinking chemistries to decrease the amount of electrolyte loss (and therefore decay of electrochemical properties) during aging. Initial symmetric coin cells tests with zinc foil have been performed. Further testing on big-cells setup with Zn paste electrodes converted for symmetric cycling are undergoing due to the limitations observed with the use of Zinc foil due to passivation and increased overpotential during cycling. Tests in the big cells with Zinc paste achieves 700+ hours of cycling at 5 mA/cm2 with limited overpotential of 20 mV.
We have developed a comprehensive document that analyzes cell and component specifications for the HIPERZAB system. These estimations are tailored to different end-user profiles.
WP3
For the acidic layers, various natural-based materials have been explored, including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), alginate, and agarose. The formulation processes for these membranes have been identified, and their macroscopic physical properties characterized. Symmetric cells incorporating these materials have been tested, with cycling at a current density of 0.5 mA/cm² for up to 1,400 hours. Initial testing has also been performed with a calcium vanadate (CaV₆O₁₆)-based cathode material. For the alkaline layer, the focus has primarily been on agarose, with efforts to develop different crosslinking chemistries aimed at reducing electrolyte loss during aging, which contributes to the decay of electrochemical properties. Initial symmetric coin cell tests using zinc foil have been completed.
WP4
For the cathode catalyst development, an initial screening of synthesis and characterization for the High-Entropy Oxide (HEO) Critical Raw Material (CRM)-free catalyst was performed on the La(0.8)Sr(0.2)Mn(x)Fe(y)Co(z)CoO(3+d) family. The synthesized candidates were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), ellipsometry, Direct Current Optical Emission Spectroscopy (DC-OES), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to determine the stoichiometry of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), as well as the lattice parameters, characteristic Raman bands, and surface roughness. These observables were subsequently used to develop a machine learning model optimized via Bayesian optimization.
WP5
For the acidic layers, different natural based materials have been explored, including CMC, alginate and agarose. The formulation process of the various membranes has been identified and their macroscopic physical properties characterized. Symmetric cells have been tested with the different materials, with cycling at 0.5 mA/cm2 up to 1400 hours. Initial testing with a CaV6O16 based cathode material has been performed. For the alkaline layer, studies has been focused mainly on Agarose and developing different crosslinking chemistries to decrease the amount of electrolyte loss (and therefore decay of electrochemical properties) during aging. Initial symmetric coin cells tests with zinc foil have been performed. Further testing on big-cells setup with Zn paste electrodes converted for symmetric cycling are undergoing due to the limitations observed with the use of Zinc foil due to passivation and increased overpotential during cycling. Tests in the big cells with Zinc paste achieves 700+ hours of cycling at 5 mA/cm2 with limited overpotential of 20 mV.
Impact 1 (SO1–SO3): The push towards more sustainable and scalable energy storage technologies hinges on the use of abundant, naturally occurring materials and energy-efficient processes. By focusing on these principles, new components for electrochemical devices, such as innovative catalysts and solid electrolytes, will redefine the paradigm of energy storage. These advancements are expected to reach the market by 2030, significantly enhancing the flexibility and sustainability of Europe’s energy storage systems.
Impact 2 (SO4): Measures to decarbonise the economy are becoming increasingly important and we are seeing that more and more institutions and companies at European level are committed to the decarbonisation of the economy, which necessarily involves the electrification of industry and services. Social acceptance of the decarbonisation of the economy is therefore expected.
Impact 3 (SO5–SO6): The development of a two-electrode solid electrolyte-supported Zinc-Air Battery design represents a breakthrough in energy storage performance. By utilizing advanced operando analysis and cycling validation, these devices could achieve unprecedented performance metrics: an energy cost of approximately 0.05 €/kWh per cycle at the stack level, a round-trip efficiency of about 70%, and extended operational lifespans.
Impact 4 (SO7): Among the most important targets that have been established in HIPERZAB during the execution of the project are the production of 20 publications in indexed journals, 3 PhD trained within stays and 3 industrial patents. These indicators are attainable but have not been achieved yet, as the project is still in its early phases of development.
Impact 2 (SO4): Measures to decarbonise the economy are becoming increasingly important and we are seeing that more and more institutions and companies at European level are committed to the decarbonisation of the economy, which necessarily involves the electrification of industry and services. Social acceptance of the decarbonisation of the economy is therefore expected.
Impact 3 (SO5–SO6): The development of a two-electrode solid electrolyte-supported Zinc-Air Battery design represents a breakthrough in energy storage performance. By utilizing advanced operando analysis and cycling validation, these devices could achieve unprecedented performance metrics: an energy cost of approximately 0.05 €/kWh per cycle at the stack level, a round-trip efficiency of about 70%, and extended operational lifespans.
Impact 4 (SO7): Among the most important targets that have been established in HIPERZAB during the execution of the project are the production of 20 publications in indexed journals, 3 PhD trained within stays and 3 industrial patents. These indicators are attainable but have not been achieved yet, as the project is still in its early phases of development.