Scientists at Monash University in Australia have developed a rechargeable zinc battery capable of running continuously for 74 days and reaching an energy density of 997 Wh per kilogram, a breakthrough that sets new benchmarks for zinc-air technology.
The battery, which completed more than 3,500 cycles during testing, significantly outperforms conventional zinc-air batteries that typically achieve around 400 Wh/kg and surpasses the density of many lithium-ion cells. Researchers said the advance was made possible through atomic-level engineering of the catalyst.
“By engineering cobalt and iron as individual atoms on a carbon framework, we achieved record-breaking performance in zinc-air batteries, showing what is possible when catalysts are designed with atomic precision,” said study author Saeed Askari.
The team used heat treatment to transform 3D material into ultra-thin carbon sheets, integrating individual cobalt and iron atoms to accelerate efficiency and stability. This also enabled effective control of dendrite formation, a common obstacle in rechargeable zinc technologies, making the battery safer and more reliable.
“The continuous operation of a rechargeable zinc-air battery for more than two months is a milestone in this field,” said co-author Paramana Banerjee. She added that the principles underpinning the design could be applied to other clean energy systems, including fuel cells, water splitting and carbon dioxide conversion.