A research team at Purdue Polytechnic has unexpectedly discovered a way to improve components of zinc batteries. The team was pleased to find that a type of semiconductor used for other purposes could also better protect zinc anodes from damage, solving well-known problems with this battery component.
“Accidental” discoveries of this kind happen often, according to Sunghwan Lee, an associate professor in the School of Engineering Technology (SoET). Lee was the principal investigator and led the research team that made the discovery. Lee says unplanned discoveries happen naturally due to cross-disciplinary work that happens often in SoET.
The team’s original research was working to develop low-temperature semiconductors for flexible electronics. It was supported by a National Science Foundation grant for next-generation oxide CMOS—or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor—devices.
Lee summarized the complex discovery by saying the p-type tin oxide semiconductor from their original research can serve as a powerful protective layer for zinc anodes in aqueous batteries, which are commonly used in cars and for stationary storage. Zinc batteries are known for their safety, low cost, and sustainability due to their recyclability, but they often have shorter lifespans and fewer practical applications. This new protective layer can improve zinc batteries’ stability and lifespan.
“This zinc anode design strategy offers a sustainable solution for environmentally friendly, large-scale energy storage systems,” said Yuxuan Zhang, an SoET Ph.D. student, research assistant and first author on the paper.
The article was published in Energy & Environmental Science, one of the leading journals in the energy field aiming to tackle key challenges, ensure energy provision and protect the environment.
“While testing semiconductor thin films, the team observed a spontaneous passivation effect that proved to be an ideal solution for the challenges of zinc battery corrosion and hydrogen evolution,” Lee said. “The innovative zinc anode strategy proved so effective that it resulted in a patent application.”
The patenting process and publication in a high-impact journal suggests this discovery has strong potential for commercial and practical use.
“This interesting example of accidental innovation underscores how foundational knowledge, when coupled with curiosity, can unlock entirely new frontiers,” Lee said.
Lee and Zhang believe the research will be appealing to others in the Purdue research community interested in cross-disciplinary work. Beyond the Polytechnic community, broader audiences in materials manufacturing, energy, battery, and semiconductor fields may also be interested in exploring cross-disciplinary applications and collaborative research opportunities.
The paper was also authored by Minyoung Kim, Dong Hun Lee, Fei Qin, Han-Wook Song, Chung Soo Kim, Jeongmin Park, Chohee Kim and Fang Lian.