Reproducible and stable cycling performance data on secondary zinc oxygen batteries

Abstract

Electrically rechargeable zinc oxygen batteries are promising energy storage devices. They appeal due to the abundance of zinc metal and their high energy density. Research on zinc oxygen batteries is currently focusing on the development of electrode materials. Since the progress is rapid and no state-of-the-art is agreed upon yet, it is difficult to benchmark their performance. This circumstance also complicates the use of the generated electrochemical data for model-based research – simulating the processes in the battery requires reliable performance data and material properties from experimental investigations. Herein we describe reproducible data on the cycling performance and durability of zinc oxygen batteries. We utilize anodes and gas diffusion electrodes (with the bifunctional catalysts Sr2CoO3Cl, Ru-Sn oxide, and Fe0.1Ni0.9Co2O4 with activated carbon) with low degradation during cycling, and present voltage data of current-dependent discharge and charge. All in all, we stimulate to reuse the data for parameter fitting in model-based work, and also to evaluate novel battery materials by preventing or minimizing side reactions with the testing protocol and setup utilized.

Essential data for industrially relevant development of bifunctional cathodes and biopolymer electrolytes in solid-state zinc–air secondary batteries

“…should be provided and mentioned to conduct a proper evaluation. 158 All the components contribute to the overall performance of the cells, even if the only component varied in a study is the cathode. Testing relevant cycling conditions is also necessary to validate the real benefits and improvements due to the catalyst as well as the electrode and cell design.…”

A Long‐Overlooked Pitfall in Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries: Proper Electrode Balancing

“…So in the case of the coin cell, the infiltration of the electrolyte in-between all void spaces is prevented by introducing, i.e., a thin flexible layer made of PTFE to isolate the contact space between the stainless steel housing and the current collector. [126,127] Nevertheless, this structure is not widely used, which is certainly due to the non-trivial arrangement and alignment of the individual layers. However, future research should take into account the uncontrolled oxidation of the zinc anode and take precautions to ensure that the current is supplied and distributed continuously during operation irrespective of the reactions taking place.…”

To what extent do anions affect the electrodeposition of Zn?

“…Zinc (Zn) metal anodes can be combined with a variety of cathode materials specically designed for use in aqueous-based solutions. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] This combination ensures not only high safety but also cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness, which are critical for large-scale energy storage. The major obstacles of the Zn anodes stem from their interactions with the surrounding aqueous electrolyte.…”