Recent Progress of Metal–Air Batteries—A Mini Review

Abstract

With the ever-increasing demand for power sources of high energy density and stability for emergent electrical vehicles and portable electronic devices, rechargeable batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel batteries, and metal–air batteries) have attracted extensive interests. Among the emerging battery technologies, metal–air batteries (MABs) are under intense research and development focus due to their high theoretical energy density and high level of safety. Although significant progress has been achieved in improving battery performance in the past decade, there are still numerous technical challenges to overcome for commercialization. Herein, this mini-review summarizes major issues vital to MABs, including progress on packaging and crucial manufacturing technologies for cathode, anode, and electrolyte. Future trends and prospects of advanced MABs by additive manufacturing and nanoengineering are also discussed.

Prospects for Anion-Exchange Membranes in Alkali Metal–Air Batteries

“…Different membrane separator types, such as organic polymer porous membranes, inorganic membranes [46], composite membranes [47], cation-exchange membranes [48], and anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) [49] have been used in Zn-air battery applications. However, despite their early beginning and being active research topics, their development and commercialization have been hampered by several remaining challenges associated with their components, such as the metal anode (corrosion, forming passivation layers, dendritic formation, electrode deformation, and energy loss due to self-discharging), air cathode (lack of efficient catalysts for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, affecting electrolyte stability, and gas diffusion blockage by side reaction products), and electrolyte (side reaction with the anode, reaction with CO2 from the air, and low conductivity) [15,18] (Table 1). These problems have been well studied and reviewed in the literature [22,42,43].…”

“…These batteries, due to their lower reactivity, easier handling, and safety, can be chosen over Li-ion batteries. Similarly, there is an intense interest in rechargeable Zn-air batteries, since Zn is the most active metal (less passive) that can be plated from an aqueous electrolyte [18]. Fe-air Among several potential candidates, metal-air batteries are a promising and competitive high-energy alternative to Li-ion batteries [13].…”

SPICE Model Identification Technique of a Cheap Thermoelectric Cell Applied to DC/DC Design with MPPT Algorithm for Low-Cost, Low-Power Energy Harvesting

“…In this design example, by applying Equations (11) and (12), and considering the multicell source characterization, with a maximum operating temperature difference of 16 • C, the inductor value L has been fixed to 1 mH.…”

“…First of all, disposal and environmental impact. Although eco-sustainable technologies have recently been developed [12], the vast majority of batteries currently in circulation constitute a danger to human health and the environment, as they consist of toxic materials that are difficult to dispose of [13], and an increase in their diffusion would intensify this problem. Secondly, the batteries have a limited duration in time, so they need maintenance for recharging or for replacing them, constituting a cost as well as a limitation for portable devices that benefit from it, especially those sensory autonomous devices used, for example, environmental monitoring, that is dislocated in hostile places and of difficult access.…”

Silver Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide as Electrocatalyst for Zinc–Air Batteries

“…The mechanism behind ZABs involves Zn dissolution at the negative electrode (zinc anode) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the positive electrode (air cathode) [14,15]. The performance of the positive electrode has a decisive impact on the performance of ZABs because the sluggish ORR kinetics increase the overpotential and decrease the power density as well as the performance of ZABs [16].…”