Enhancing the Cycle Life of a Zinc–Air Battery by Means of Electrolyte Additives and Zinc Surface Protection (original) (raw)
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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.
Energy Science & Engineering, 2018
Development of secondary zinc-air batteries goes through a proper specification of the electrolyte formulation adapted to extend the cycle life of the battery. However, defining an optimal formulation is not a trivial work due to the specific requirements for each electrode. At half-cell level, it has been determined that ZnO-saturated 4 mol L −1 KOH with 2 mol L −1 KF and 2 mol L −1 K 2 CO 3 (4s-2) is the most suitable formulation to increase the cycle life of secondary zinc electrode, whereas additive-free 8 mol L −1 KOH (8-0) formulation is more beneficial for the bifunctional air electrode (BAE). Through this systematic cycle life assessment, it has been found that the most suitable electrolyte formulation for the full cell system is a compendium for both electrodes requirements. It has determined an optimal electrolyte formulation for the full system consisting of ZnO-saturated 7 mol L −1 KOH with 1.4 mol L −1 KF and 1.4 mol L −1 K 2 CO 3 (7s-1.4). This electrolyte composition increases at least 2.5 times the reversibility of the secondary zinc-air battery in comparison with that employing the traditional formulation for primary zinc-air batteries (additive-free 8 mol L −1 KOH). In addition, the development of a proper cell design or separator is also necessary to further enhance the secondary zinc-air cycle life.
Mechanism and Optimizations of Aqueous Zinc-ion Battery
Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology
Nowadays, more and more problems of environmental deterioration make the development of environmentally friendly energy imminent. For the requirements of low cost, high security, and high efficiency, aqueous Zn-ion batteries are a promising trend for research. In this paper, the mechanism of aqueous Zn-ion batteries will be illustrated in three aspects: cathode materials, zinc anode, and electrolytes. Moreover, possible alternatives for each part of the batteries will be comprehensively illustrated in detail. In addition, the challenges such as short capacity, zinc dendrites, and corrosion and passivation will be analyzed and the possible corresponding solutions will be proposed. Finally, a concise conclusion will be given.
Materials science aspects of zinc–air batteries: a review
Metal-air batteries are becoming of particular interest, from both fundamental and industrial viewpoints, for their high specific energy density compared to other energy storage devices, in particular the Li-ion systems. Among metal-air batteries, the zinc-air option represents a safe, environmentally friendly and potentially cheap and simple way to store and deliver electrical energy for both portable and stationary devices as well as for electric vehicles. Zinc-air batteries can be classified into primary (including also the mechanically rechargeable), electrically rechargeable (secondary), and fuel cells. Research on primary zinc-air batteries is well consolidated since many years. On the contrary, research on the electrically rechargeable ones still requires further efforts to overcome materials science and electrochemical issues related to charge and discharge processes. In addition, zinc-air fuel cells are also of great potential interest for smart grid energy storage and production. This review aims to report on the latest progresses and state-of-the-art of primary, secondary and mechanically rechargeable zinc-air batteries, and zinc-air fuel cells. In particular, this review focuses on the critical aspects of materials science, engineering, electrochemistry and mathematical modeling related to all zinc-air systems.
Comparative Review on the Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs) and Flexible Zinc-Ion Batteries (FZIBs)
Nanomaterials
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been considered an easily accessible battery technology because of their low weight, cheapness, etc. Unfortunately, they have significant drawbacks, such as flammability and scarcity of lithium. Since the components of zinc-ion batteries are nonflammable, nontoxic, and cheap, AZIBs could be a suitable replacement for LIBs. In this article, the advantages and drawbacks of AZIBs over other energy storage devices are briefly discussed. This review focused on the cathode materials and electrolytes for AZIBs. In addition, we discussed the approaches to improve the electrochemical performance of zinc batteries. Here, we also discussed the polymer gel electrolytes and the electrodes for flexible zinc-ion batteries (FZIBs). Moreover, we have outlined the importance of temperature and additives in a flexible zinc-ion battery. Finally, we have discussed anode materials for both AZIBs and FZIBs. This review has summarized the advantages and disadvantages of AZ...
Designing Aqueous Organic Electrolytes for Zinc–Air Batteries: Method, Simulation, and Validation
Advanced Energy Materials
Aqueous zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are a low-cost, safe, and sustainable technology for stationary energy storage. ZABs with pH-buffered near-neutral electrolytes have the potential for longer lifetime compared to traditional alkaline ZABs due to the slower absorption of carbonates at nonalkaline pH values. However, existing near-neutral electrolytes often contain halide salts, which are corrosive and threaten the precipitation of ZnO as the dominant discharge product. This paper presents a method for designing halide-free aqueous ZAB electrolytes using thermodynamic descriptors to computationally screen components. The dynamic performance of a ZAB with one possible halide-free aqueous electrolyte based on organic salts is simulated using an advanced method of continuum modeling, and the results are validated by experiments. XRD, SEM, and EDS measurements of Zn electrodes show that ZnO is the dominant discharge product, and operando pH measurements confirm the stability of the electrolyte pH during cell cycling. Long-term full cell cycling tests are performed, and RRDE measurements elucidate the mechanism of ORR and OER. Our analysis shows that aqueous electrolytes containing organic salts could be a promising field of research for zinc-based batteries, due to their Zn 2+ chelating and pH buffering properties. We discuss the remaining challenges including the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte components.
ChemElectroChem, 2014
After decades of development, lithium-ion batteries are not only being mass produced, but are also gaining acceptance as a viable energy source in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. Yet, substantial publicly and privately funded research and de-velopment efforts are still underway to address concerns about their cost, safety, and longevity. Although polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) do show certain advantages over Li-ion batteries, especially when applied in electric vehicles, their state-of-the-technology is still quite far from mass manufacturing and commercialization. Thus, there are no near-term alternatives that can outperform the Li-ion batteries with their combination of high energy and power densities. Hence, alternative chemistries that are inherently safer and less expensive attract increasingly more attention. Among them, metal-air batteries and fuel cells represent a new class of promising alternative power sources, owing to their remarkably high theoretical energy output. Of all metal-air batteries/fuel cells that are currently under development, Zn-air batteries/fuel cells have the most promising potential, as they offer an appealing combination of high energy density, addressable technical challenges, low cost, and inherent safety. A renowned example is the low-power primary zinc-air hearing-aid battery. With a design combining aspects of conventional batteries and modern fuel cell designs, the current remodeled Zn-air fuel cell (ZAFC) offers even higher energy densities than its traditional Zn-air battery counterpart. Raw material costs for its components (zinc metal, aqueous alkaline electrolytes, inexpensive separator materials, and non-precious metal catalysts for cathode) are low. However, three major barriers keep hindering the ZAFC commercialization: 1) degradation of the air cathode, 2) low electrolyte capacity, and 3) difficulties with recharging zinc anodes because of zinc oxide formation.
ChemElectroChem, 2021
Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZABs) are one of the most promising next-generation energy-storage technologies for stationary applications (home and industry), wearable and portable electronics, and transportation (including electric vehicles) due to their high energy density, environmental friendliness, safety, and low cost. However, RZABs still face serious challenges (such as sluggish oxygen reactions, poor durability, inferior reversibility of the zinc anode, and low cell energy efficiency) that conspire against their widespread commercialization. The reactions that occur at the three key components of the RZAB (air cathode, zinc anode, and electrolyte) cooperatively conspire against its performance. Thus, this review focuses on the bifunctional electrocatalytic events at the cathode (i. e., oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER)). That is in addition to the recent developments aimed at mitigating the performance-limiting events at the anode and the electrolytes. This review directs the attention of researchers and users to the critical areas for the development of the next-generation RZABs.