Gnanomat’s advanced materials were confirmed as competitive bifunctional catalysts in the air electrode of Secondary Zinc-air batteries (SZAB). This technology is already in the development stage mainly due to its limited cyclability, low performance and high cost of the air electrode. The tests carried out in SZAB prototypes using Gnanomat´s advanced materials as bifunctional catalysts for the air electrode showed an outstanding performance in charge and discharge modes. In addition, the tests performed in prototype cells also showed a great stability and cyclability, addressing one of the most challenging drawbacks of this technology.
The bifunctional catalysts developed by Gnanomat used in air electrode of SZAB prototypes meet the requirements to be industrially viable products, manufactured following industrial and green protocols using low cost and environmentally friendly raw materials which represents an important advantage compared to the best catalysts in the literature that are based on Nickel and Cobalt metals displaying higher cost and scarcity (e.g. Cobalt is in the list of Critical raw Materials of EU). These results were obtained in collaboration with CIDETEC, a reference center in energy storage research, as an independent third party, and the technology and findings are in process of IP filing.
The SZAB technology is a technology that allows the storage of a large amount of Energy during hours and weeks. Another interesting advantage of this technology is that SZAB devices are made of environmentally friendly components and electrolytes in contrast with current market standards. SAZB is also a fine alternative to store Energy generated from renewable sources. SZAB technology was also posed as a potential candidate to compete in some applications with Lead-acid batteries or a range extender in Power Packs.
The results obtained from the Gnanomat material tests offer a step forward to bring SZAB technology to the market. Moreover, the catalytic properties found in these tests can also be exploited in other Energy Storage applications as Alkaline Fuel Cells.