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Science & Tech.
Pradeep Kumar

25/06/21 11:05 AM IST

Cost-effective catalysts for metal-air battery

In news
  • International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), has developed the cost-effective electrocatalyst by anchoring transition metal ions into the sulfur-doped carbon framework via carbonization of a polymer called sPEEK (sulphonated polyether ether ketone).
Details
  • A new non-precious metal-based bi-functional electrocatalyst (capable of catalyzing two different types of reactions) can decrease cost and increase the efficiency of metal air batteries.
  • With the rise in demand for different energy sources, worldwide efforts are being made to develop different kinds of energy devices, such as lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, redox flow batteries, lithium-air batteries, zinc-air batteries, etc. sodium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors.
  • Among them, Zn-air batteries have drawn significant attention due to their low cost and high energy density. 
About the technology
  • This catalyst synthesis method can also be used to recycle used ionomers (polymer composed of both neutral repeating units and ionized units).
  • The scientists have used an ion-exchange strategy that positions the metal ions in the carbon framework homogeneously, limits the particle size and offers control on composition and size at a very low loading of transition metal.
  • Cost-effectiveness is thus achieved by low loading of transition metal, high activity, and high cycling stability compared to many of the catalysts earlier reported in the literature.
  • The catalyst also leads to reduced voltage polarization, enabling higher energy efficiency and a stable charge-discharge characteristic.
  • The results obtained were comparable to that of conventionally used noble metal-based catalysts with metal loading of 20% or higher.
Source: PIB

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