Reference #: 01447
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for A High Capacity Bilayer Cathode for Aqueous Zn-ion Batteries
Background:
Zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) use zinc ions as the working charge carriers and zinc metal as the anode. The cathodes typically used are MnO2 and V2O5 based layered materials. Aqueous ZIBs are promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage because they are intrinsically safe, cost competitive and energy intense. Large-scale energy storage (LSES) technologies are critical for a deeper and broader penetration of renewable energy into the existing fossil-fuel-dominated energy infrastructure. However, the commercial development of ZIBs is currently hindered by the performance of cathode materials in energy capacity and cycle stability.
Invention Description:
A new bilayer structured hydrated Ca-V oxide is disclosed as a high capacity and stable cathode for rechargeable aqueous ZIBs. We disclose that the enabling factor for the high capacity is the unique rho-type bilayer structure that features low energy barrier for Zn-ion transport. We also disclose that the synthesis of the new materials is sensitive to pH of precursor solution and reaction temperature and duration.
Potential Applications:
Large-scale energy storage (LSES) technologies are critical for a deeper and broader penetration of renewable energy into the existing fossil-fuel-dominated energy infrastructure available today. This disclosure addresses capacity and capacity retention problem currently facing aqueous ZIBs.
Advantages and Benefits:
Batteries with aqueous electrolytes containing monovalent (Li+, Na+, K+) or multivalent (Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Al3+) cations as the working ion have been increasingly studied in recent decades for LSES, primarily because of their high safety features, low cost, easy ambient manufacturing, environmental friendliness, high ionic conductivity and fast charge/discharge rate. The charge capacity of the disclosed cathode is higher than other aqueous based batteries as well as the commonly known Li-ion batteries. In addition, the new ZIB is also safe to operate and cheap to manufacture.