Zinc-Ion Technologies

Zinc-ion battery (ZIB) technologies are attracting increasing interest in battery research, particularly in the field of stationary battery storage systems (SBS). ZIB technologies are well known in alkaline manganese batteries, which are used to operate a wide variety of small devices and are not rechargeable. The use of adapted electrolyte systems (e.g. with an acidic pH value) makes it possible to recharge the ZIB and thus use it as battery storage for the energy transition. The ZIB based on highly available, non-critical raw materials offers enormous potential for stationary applications as a safe, cost-effective, robust and environmentally friendly alternative to established lithium-ion-based battery technologies.

At Fraunhofer ISE, we are researching the following topics for ZIB technology:

• Development and characterization of water-based electrolytes with additives and pH management for long-term stable operation of the battery cell
• Development and production of innovative battery electrodes with high layer thicknesses for water-based battery technologies based on dry coating processes, among others
• Characterization of battery cells using electrochemical methods and post-mortem investigations in our own characterization laboratory
• Development, production and electrochemical characterization of battery module prototypes using innovative production methods (e.g. 3D printing)
• Support in project planning for R&D projects and data collection for techno-economic analyses of zinc-ion battery technology

Our Services Include:

• Development of Water-Based Electrolyte Systems
• Characterization of Battery Cells
• Development and Production of Battery Electrodes
• Development and Production of Battery Prototypes

For water-based battery cell chemistries, we can provide our experience in electrolyte composition and characterization. This includes pH topics, additives for anode and cathode stabilization as well as the prevention of gas formation by the electrolyte. 

A wide range of process and characterization equipment is available for this purpose, e.g. pH autotitration, pH investigations, ion conductivity measurements and ICP-OES.

For the characterization of battery cells, various experimental cell formats based on commercially available as well as self-constructed cell formats can be used for the evaluation of parameters depending on the requirement profile. 

These include in-operando pH testing for water-based electrolyte concepts, comprehensive electrochemical testing methods (e.g. CCCV cycling, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, GITT, pulse methods etc.) and post-mortem analyses (e.g. XRD, RAMAN, IR, SEM including EDX, light microscopy, LIBS, ICP-OES etc.).

We have the capability to manufacture battery electrodes with different material compositions and different coating processes in our laboratories. Wet and dry coating processes can be used for this and parameter studies can be carried out on electrode material compositions. The electrodes can be examined using suitable characterization methods, including via SEM with EDX (both topview and cross-sections), Hg-based porosity measurement, BET analyses, light microscopy with depth profile, thickness measurement and moisture determination.

We have extensive experience in the development and production of battery prototypes. Our expertise ranges from CAD model creation, prototype production using 3D printing (print format up to 42x30x40 cm) or mechanical production, battery module production through to the characterization of prototypes.