CeNS Develops Advanced Cathode to Boost Grid-Scale Renewable Energy Storage

In a major advancement for sustainable energy storage, researchers have developed a novel cathode material that significantly enhances the performance and stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), potentially strengthening large-scale renewable energy integration.

Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—have synthesised sulphur vacancy-induced 1T-phase Molybdenum Disulfide (1T-MoS₂), a material that could address long-standing challenges in zinc-based battery systems.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries, which use water-based electrolytes, are considered safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives for storing renewable energy from solar and wind sources. Zinc metal, used directly as the anode, offers high theoretical capacity and abundant availability. However, the lack of durable, high-capacity cathode materials has limited their commercial scalability.

The research team—comprising Mr. Ganesh Mahendra, Dr. Rahuldeb Roy, and Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh—employed a controlled hydrothermal synthesis process to develop sulphur-deficient 1T-phase MoS₂ nanoflakes. The metallic-phase material exhibits high surface area and improved electrical conductivity, enabling faster electrochemical reactions and enhanced charge storage capacity.

A key highlight of the study was the optimisation of the battery’s electrochemical potential window. The team identified an ideal operational range between 0.2 and 1.3 volts (vs. Zn²⁺/Zn), ensuring stable performance and improved durability.

Performance testing revealed that the fabricated zinc-ion battery retained 97.91% of its initial capacity after 500 continuous charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹. It also demonstrated a Coulombic efficiency of 99.7%, reflecting highly reversible zinc-ion insertion and extraction with minimal side reactions. The researchers successfully powered a commercial LCD timer using a coin-cell prototype, highlighting its practical applicability.

The findings were published in the journal American Chemical Society (ACS) under its journal Energy & Fuels, offering a detailed framework for designing next-generation high-performance cathode materials.

The breakthrough is expected to accelerate the development of affordable, safe, and efficient battery systems capable of storing large volumes of renewable energy for grid-scale applications.