Materials science aspects of zinc–air batteries: a review (original) (raw)
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Insights into zinc-air battery technological advancements
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2024
This review combines a scientometric analysis with a detailed overview of zinc-air battery (ZAB) advances. The ZAB research landscape was critically surveyed using scientometric tools like VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. This analysis covered 10,103 articles from the Web of Science database, revealing the growth evolution, citation analysis, research clusters, and countries' collaboration networks in ZAB research. The results reveal a remarkable annual growth rate of 11.5 %, indicating a major rise in academic interest that invariably highlights ZAB's growing relevance. The leading countries in terms of research productivity include China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Furthermore, the study identifies eight research clusters focusing on electrode optimization, advanced catalysis, electrochemical performance, hydrogen evolution, and the use of biomass and carbon materials, representing the critical areas of investigation in ZABs research. Importantly, the study critically reviewed essential electrochemical mechanisms governing ZABs and also provided novel perspectives on addressing the existing challenges and the mitigating strategies of ZAB components. This research serves as a helpful reference for industry professionals and policymakers looking to push the frontiers of renewable energy technology. Interestingly, the analysis is relevant to global efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and providing avenues to improve ZAB technology for greater integration into current energy systems. This study makes substantial contributions to ZAB research by outlining a path for future advancements and regulatory frameworks.
2018
The growing number of electric vehicles worldwide demands increasing electricity generation from renewable sources such as wind and solar in order to render these vehicles CO 2 neutral. However, these systems are very intermittent and need to be coupled with high capacity and fast responding energy storage systems. Zinc-air flow batteries are designed for this stationary application, using the inexpensive, safe and abundant metal zinc as active storing material. In the project Luziflow all battery components are investigated and improved regarding the efficiency during cycling and the long-term stability during operation. On the negative zinc electrode, new insights have been gained on dendrite-free zinc deposition during charging and with flowing electrolyte. On the positive air electrode stable bifunctional electrode designs with high catalytic activity have been applied in longterm operation. The final aim of the project Luziflow will be the scale-up to 100 cm² and full cell operation.
SN applied sciences, 2022
This review presents the current developments of various electrolyte systems for secondary zinc air batteries (SZABs). The challenges and advancements in aqueous electrolytes (e.g., alkaline, acidic and neutral) and non-aqueous electrolytes (e.g., solid polymer electrolyte, ionic liquids, gel polymer electrolyte, and deep eutectic solvents) development have been reviewed. Moreover, chemical and physical characteristics of electrolytes such as power density, capacity, rate performance, cyclic ability, and safety that play a vital role in recital of the SZABs have been reviewed. Finally, the challenges and limitations that must be investigated and possible future research areas of SZABs electrolytes are discussed. Highlights • Design and working mechanisms of rechargeable zinc air batteries. • Investigation of various electrolyte systems for rechargeable zinc air batteries. • Advances in the electrolyte technologies and stable electrolytes for rechargeable zinc air batteries.
Batteries, 2018
The commercialization of rechargeable alkaline zinc–air batteries (ZAB) requires advanced approaches to improve secondary zinc anode performance, which is hindered by the high corrosion and dissolution rate of zinc in this medium. Modified (with additives) alkaline electrolyte has been one of the most investigated options to reduce the high solubility of zinc. However, this strategy alone has not been fully successful in enhancing the cycle life of the battery. The combination of mitigation strategies into one joint approach, by using additives (ZnO, KF, K2CO3) in the base alkaline electrolyte and simultaneously preparing zinc electrodes that are based on ionomer (Nafion®)-coated zinc particles, was implemented and evaluated. The joint use of electrolyte additives and ionomer coating was intended to regulate the exposition of Zn, deal with zincate solubility, minimize the shape change and dendrite formation, as well as reduce the hydrogen evolution rate. This strategy provided a ben...
First principles investigation of zinc-anode dissolution in zinc–air batteries
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2013
With surging interest in high energy density batteries, much attention has recently been devoted to metal-air batteries. The zinc-air battery has been known for more than a hundred years and is commercially available as a primary battery, but recharging has remained elusive, in part because the fundamental mechanisms still remain to be fully understood. Here, we present a density functional theory investigation of the zinc dissolution (oxidation) on the anode side in the zinc-air battery. Two models are envisaged, the most stable (0001) surface and a kink surface. The kink model proves to be more accurate as it brings about some important features of bulk dissolution and yields results in good agreement with experiments. From the adsorption energies of hydroxyl species and experimental values, we construct a free energy diagram and confirm that there is a small overpotential associated with the reaction. The applied methodology provides new insight into computational modelling and design of secondary metal-air batteries.
A novel rechargeable zinc-air battery with molten salt electrolyte
Journal of Power Sources, 2017
Zinc-air batteries have been proposed for EV applications and large-scale electricity storage such as wind and solar power. Although zinc-air chemistries batteries are very promising, there are numerous technological barriers to overcome. We demonstrate for the first time, a new rechargeable zinc-air battery that utilizes a molten Li 0.87 Na 0.63 K 0.50 CO 3 eutectic electrolyte with added NaOH. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that a reversible deposition/dissolution of zinc occurs in the molten Li 0.87 Na 0.63 K 0.50 CO 3 eutectic. At 550 °C, this zinc-air battery performs with a coulombic efficiency of 96.9% over 110 cycles, having an average charging potential of ~1.43V and discharge potential of ~1.04V. The zinc-air battery uses cost effective steel and nickel electrodes without the need for any precious metal catalysts. Moreover, the molten salt electrolyte offers advantages over aqueous electrolytes, avoiding the common aqueous alkaline electrolyte issues of hydrogen evolution, Zn dendrite formation, "drying out", and carbonate precipitation.
Zinc regeneration in rechargeable zinc-air fuel cells—A review
Zinc-air fuel cells (ZAFCs) present a promising energy source with a competing potential with the lithium-ion battery and even with proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for applications in next generation electrified transport and energy storage. The regeneration of zinc is essential for developing the next-generation, i.e., electrochemically rechargeable ZAFCs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view on both theoretical and industrial platforms already built hitherto, with focus on electrode materials, electrode and electrolyte additives, solution chemistry, zinc deposition reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and electrochemical zinc regeneration systems. The related technological challenges and their possible solutions are described and discussed. A summary of important R&D patents published within the recent 10 years is also presented.
Self-activated cathode substrates in rechargeable zinc–air batteries
Energy Storage Materials, 2021
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