INST scientists develop electrolyte additive for safer, longer-lasting aqueous zinc batteries
The Department of Science and Technology said on 18 June 2026 that scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology have developed an electrolyte additive, BDIM, for aqueous zinc ion batteries.
Summary
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed an electrolyte additive called BDIM that selectively adsorbs on zinc metal surfaces and regulates the Inner Helmholtz Plane of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), DST said on 18 June 2026. AZIBs are emerging as low-cost, safe and sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, but zinc dendrite growth, the hydrogen evolution reaction, corrosion and poor cycling stability have held back their commercialisation. BDIM was made from glutamic acid, and the work was accepted in ACS Electrochemistry.
Key facts
- Institute
- INST, autonomous institute of DST
- Additive
- BDIM
- Battery
- Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs)
- Mechanism
- Adsorbs on zinc and regulates the Inner Helmholtz Plane
- Problems addressed
- Dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, corrosion, poor cycling
- Starting material
- Glutamic acid
- Journal
- ACS Electrochemistry
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Scientists at which DST institute developed the electrolyte additive BDIM for aqueous zinc ion batteries (June 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Institute of Nano Science and Technology
BDIM was developed by scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute of DST.
Consider the following statements about aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), as described by DST in June 2026: 1. AZIBs are emerging as low-cost, safe alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. 2. Zinc dendrite growth and the hydrogen evolution reaction hinder their commercialisation. 3. The BDIM additive works by replacing the zinc anode with lithium. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: BDIM adsorbs on the zinc surface and regulates the Inner Helmholtz Plane.