Rechargeable zinc–air battery with vitamin B12 catalyst

13 November 2026 · English Science & Technology

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Current affairs of 13 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

A physical chemistry research group (FQM-204, IQUEMA institute) at the University of Córdoba, Spain, has developed a rechargeable zinc–air battery that uses vitamin B12 (cobalamin) as its catalyst. The results were published in the 'Journal of Materials Chemistry A' (Royal Society of Chemistry) in August 2026; the university issued a press release on 4 November 2026. Because B12 dissolves easily in water, the team anchored it to single-walled carbon nanotubes to form the air electrode (cathode). The cobalt(III) ion at the core of B12 helps reduce oxygen to water during discharge and release oxygen during charging. The researchers reported that the prototype ran for up to 250 charge–discharge cycles; Manuel Cano Luna is one of the study's authors. With a non-flammable aqueous electrolyte and abundant, recyclable zinc, they say it could be a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries and help store renewable electricity. The group had earlier used haemoglobin and catalase (iron-based biomolecules) as catalysts; B12 is its third biomolecule.

Key facts for the exam

Background

• Battery basics: a battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy. During discharge, oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction at the cathode. Rechargeable cells are 'secondary cells' (e.g. lead-acid, lithium-ion); single-use ones are 'primary cells' (e.g. dry cell). Alessandro Volta built the first battery in 1800.
• Zinc–air battery: zinc is oxidised at the anode, while oxygen from the air is used at the cathode. As oxygen is not stored inside, the battery is light with high energy density. Button cells used in hearing aids are of this type (primary). The main challenge is a cheap, efficient catalyst that also releases oxygen on charging; costly metals such as platinum are usually needed.
• Catalyst: a substance that speeds up a reaction by lowering the activation energy while itself remaining unchanged. Enzymes are biological catalysts. This study is an example of a bio-inspired approach that uses natural biomolecules in place of costly metal catalysts.
• Vitamin B12: the only vitamin containing cobalt – hence 'cobalamin'. It is water-soluble, made in nature only by bacteria, and found mainly in animal foods such as meat, fish, eggs and milk. Its absorption needs 'intrinsic factor' secreted by the stomach; deficiency causes pernicious anaemia and nerve damage.
• Economic context: India relies heavily on imports of battery raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. Zinc is available in India (major mines in Rajasthan), so IIT Madras researchers noted in 2022 that zinc-based batteries could cut import dependence.

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Sources: University of Córdoba press release via EurekAlert! (4 Nov 2026); Journal of Materials Chemistry A (RSC), 25 Aug 2026 – DOI 10.1039/d6ta02773c; IIT Madras press release (30 May 2022). Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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