
"High-throughput experiments and AI are revolutionizing catalyst discovery for zinc-air batteries"
Alex Morata, researcher from IREC, shares insights into how high-throughput experiments and operando techniques are driving the discovery of bifunctional catalysts and advancing the field of zinc-air battery technology.

In this latest interview, we sit down with Alex Morata, a researcher at IREC, an institute renowned for its work in renewable energy technologies. IREC is actively contributing to the HIPERZAB project, a European initiative focused on developing advanced, electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). In this conversation, Alex shares insights into how high-throughput experiments and operando techniques are driving the discovery of bifunctional catalysts and advancing the field of zinc-air battery technology.
How will you conduct high throughput experiments for catalyst identification?
IREC develops innovative high-throughput experiments to explore bifunctional cathodes using combinatorial thin-film deposition. Oxide layers are grown on 10 cm wafers, creating substrates where each point has a unique composition within a perovskite (ABO3) family, varying A and B cations. This method generates a vast compositional space with diverse properties. Automated characterization techniques—optical, x-ray, electrochemical, and more—analyze these materials, producing extensive datasets. AI algorithms process this data to predict optimal compositions. The approach accelerates material discovery, enabling rapid identification of high-performance cathodes, crucial for energy applications and advancing innovative technologies in the field.
Which operando techniques will you use and for what purpose?
Spectroscopic ellipsometry is the preferred technique for operando experiments due to its non-invasive nature and relatively simple setup. This method enables real-time monitoring of the optical properties of cathodes, offering crucial insights into the oxidation states of cations and the emergence of defects, such as oxygen vacancies, within the layers. Additionally, it allows precise measurement of cathode film thickness, providing early warnings of potential dissolution during operation. This combination of non-invasiveness, ease of use, and comprehensive monitoring makes spectroscopic ellipsometry a valuable tool for studying cathode performance in operation. Other techniques might complementary be explored, such as Raman spectroscopy or x-ray diffraction.