Indian Scientists Develop High-Storage Cathode Material for Zinc Batteries

Indian researchers have developed a new cathode material that significantly enhances the energy-storage capacity of eco-friendly zinc batteries, the government announced on Friday.

A team at a government institute in Bengaluru has created a simple "activation process" for vanadium oxide — a widely used battery material — that can greatly improve the energy density and lifespan of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), according to a statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology.

The activated material allows zinc-ion batteries to store far more energy than before and to be recharged thousands of times with minimal degradation, offering a durable and efficient alternative to conventional battery systems.

While lithium-ion batteries have dominated energy-storage advancements due to their high energy density, they also pose environmental and safety risks. This has shifted attention toward aqueous zinc-ion batteries, which are safer, more sustainable, and capable of high energy storage.

The Bengaluru-based team, led by Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), used a thermo-electrochemical treatment to introduce beneficial defects into vanadium oxide. This process produced zinc-vanadium oxide (Zn-V?O?), a material with tiny channels and cavities that allow zinc ions to move more efficiently.

This modified, intentionally imperfect structure boosts the material’s stability and reduces resistance to zinc-ion movement during charging and discharging. As a result, zinc batteries made with Zn-V?O? can deliver higher performance and improved durability.

According to the Ministry, this innovation offers a simple and effective method for enhancing traditional cathode materials, potentially paving the way for better and more environmentally friendly energy-storage systems.

—With inputs from IANS