Slew of technologies developed to enable electrically rechargeable Zinc-air batteries

📌 Summary:

• Scientists have developed a new "nanofluid electrolyte" that enhances the cathode efficiency of electrically rechargeable Zinc-air batteries (ZABs), offering safer, cheaper next-generation green batteries
• The electrolyte is stable over three months, directly applicable to the zinc-air battery industry, and relevant to grid-scale storage and electric mobility in India
• Developed by scientists at SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur (team led by Dr. S. Devaraj), supported by DST's Nano and Advanced Materials Division
• Innovation: dispersing small amounts of inexpensive silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles into the standard electrolyte suppressed hydrogen evolution and zinc corrosion while enhancing oxygen reaction performance — solving both electrode problems with one low-cost intervention
• Conventional costly corrosion inhibitors often hinder oxygen reaction kinetics; the nanofluid avoids this trade-off; technology protected by granted Indian patent (IN570691) and ready for use
• Team also developed earth-abundant bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution (OER), and explored waste-derived electrode materials, positioning ZABs as a low-cost alternative to lithium-ion systems

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Science & Technology) — indigenous R&D in energy storage, alternatives to lithium-ion, materials/nanotechnology innovation and its relevance to grid storage and electric mobility.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Nanofluid electrolyte uses silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles; stable ~3 months; Indian patent IN570691
• Developed at SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; supported by DST (Nano and Advanced Materials Division)
• Zinc-air battery (ZAB): high theoretical energy density, low-cost, water-based chemistry; uses ORR and OER at the air-cathode

🔑 Key Term: Zinc-air battery (ZAB) — an aqueous metal-air battery using zinc and atmospheric oxygen, valued for high energy density, low cost and safety versus lithium-ion.