Development of Sustainable Cathode Electrodes for Zinc-Air Batteries Using Metal Doping and Biomass-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots

Kaynar M., Günler E. Y., Gürkan K., Yazar Aydoğan S.

19th Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Conference, Ankara, Türkiye, 27 - 29 Ağustos 2025, ss.333, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.333
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

Turkey has set an ambitious goal to become a regional hub for battery production and innovation by 2030, with a strategic focus on alternative energy

storage systems beyond conventional lithium-ion technologies. Among these alternatives, metal-air batteries have attracted significant attention due to

their high theoretical energy density, environmental compatibility, and cost efficiency [1-2]. In this study, the development of high-performance and sustainable cathode electrodes for zinc-air batteries was investigated. Initially, graphite was electrochemically oxidized to graphene oxide via a chronoamperometric method in a sulfuric acid medium. During synthesis, various concentrations of zinc sulfate were introduced to simultaneously achieve metal doping. This process improved the electrical conductivity and prolonged the discharge duration, thereby enhancing the overall charge transport capability of the electrode material [3-5].

In the second phase, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized from food waste, specifically lemon peels, as a sustainable carbon source. The CQDs were incorporated into the electrochemical synthesis medium at different ratios and anchored onto the surface of the metal-doped graphene oxide. Their influence on the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes was systematically evaluated. The best-performing electrodes were tested in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Electrochemical performance was assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance

spectroscopy (EIS). Structural and morphological characterizations were carried out via FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The findings demonstrate that biomass-derived CQDs and metal doping synergistically enhance the electrochemical properties of zinc-air battery electrodes, offering a promising route toward environmentally friendly and efficient energy storage systems.