Monash University engineers have developed a breakthrough catalyst that could transform the performance of next-generation batteries, paving the way for more powerful, longer-lasting and cheaper energy storage solutions.
The new catalyst, designed for zinc-air batteries, addresses long-standing performance and stability challenges by boosting efficiency in the crucial oxygen reactions that drive the technology.
While zinc-air batteries are already used in small devices such as hearing aids, the breakthrough opens the possibility of reliable, rechargeable versions for large-scale uses in energy grids and transport.
Researchers achieved the advance by applying a heat treatment to convert a 3D material into ultra-thin carbon sheets.
They then incorporated individual cobalt and iron atoms, creating a structure that accelerates battery reactions while reducing reliance on costly metals like platinum or ruthenium.
Lead authors, PhD researcher Saeed Askari and Dr Parama Banerjee from Monash’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, said the catalyst’s design set a new benchmark.
“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,” Askari said.
“Our advanced simulations revealed that the cobalt-iron atom pairs, combined with nitrogen dopants, enhance charge transfer and optimise reaction kinetics, solving one of the biggest bottlenecks for rechargeable zinc-air batteries.”
Dr Banerjee highlighted that the advances have wider implications beyond zinc-air batteries, extending to several clean energy platforms.
“Running a rechargeable zinc-air battery continuously for more than two months is a milestone for the field,” Dr Banerjee said.
“It demonstrates that this technology is ready to move beyond the laboratory and into practical applications.
“These catalysts not only solve a key bottleneck for zinc-air batteries, but their design principles can be applied across the energy landscape – from fuel cells to water splitting – offering broad impact for clean energy.”
