A Patternable and In Situ Formed Polymeric Zinc Blanket for a Reversible Zinc Anode in a Skin‐Mountable Microbattery

AbstractThe surface chemistry of solid electrolyte interphase is one of the critical factors that govern the cycling life of rechargeable batteries. However, this chemistry is less explored for zinc anodes, owing to their relatively high redox potential and limited choices in electrolyte. Here, we report the observation of a zinc fluoride-rich organic/inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase on zinc anode, based on an acetamide-Zn(TFSI)2 eutectic electrolyte. A combination of experimental and modeling investigations reveals that the presence of anion-complexing zinc species with markedly lowered decomposition energies contributes to the in situ formation of an interphase. The as-protected anode enables reversible (~100% Coulombic efficiency) and dendrite-free zinc plating/stripping even at high areal capacities (>2.5 mAh cm‒2), endowed by the fast ion migration coupled with high mechanical strength of the protective interphase. With this interphasial design the assembled zinc batteries exhibit excellent cycling stability with negligible capacity loss at both low and high rates.

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Development of a 3D Zinc-Entrained Activated Charcoal Anode for Air-Breathing Battery

FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology ◽

10.46792/fuoyejet.v4i3.519 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Charles Okuwa ◽

Bolaji Aremo ◽

Mosobalaje Adeoye

Keyword(s):

Current Density ◽

Activated Charcoal ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Ammonium Bicarbonate ◽

Output Current ◽

Pore Former ◽

Air Breathing ◽

Zinc Anode ◽

The Matrix

A 3D zinc-entrained activated charcoal anode was developed to address the problem of low output current density in conventional planar-anode air-breathing batteries. The anode was a compacted and sintered mix of activated charcoal (AC), polyethylene (PE) and ammonium bicarbonate (ABC). These serve as matrix, binder and pore-former respectively. Samples were compacted at varying ratios of (AC/PE) : ABC and evaluated for suitability as anode structure using Water absorption, Hydrophobicity and Electrical conductivity tests. They were infused under vacuum with ZnSO4 solutions of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 M. It was followed by in-situ galvanostatic electroreduction of Zn2+ ion to elemental zinc to achieve zinc entrainment inside the matrix. This was carried out at varying time intervals. The anode was characterized using Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The 3D zinc-entrained anode and a planar zinc anode were evaluated and compared in air-breathing battery configuration using polarisation experiments. Optimal composition of the anode was determined to be 25% (AC/PE) and 10% ABC while optimal conditions for zinc entrainment was 0.4 M ZnSO4 and 150 mins electroreduction time. The microstructures reveal that zinc is being preferentially deposited around the rim of pores and on ridge lines. Polarisation studies showed that the 3D zinc-entrained activated charcoal anode exhibited output current density 2.5 times that of conventional planar zinc anode and a slightly higher Open Circuit Voltage of 1.44 V.. Keywords— Air-cathode, battery, electrodeposition, zinc.

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An In Situ Synchrotron Study of Zinc Anode Planarization by a Bismuth Additive

Journal of The Electrochemical Society ◽

10.1149/2.037403jes ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 161 (3) ◽

pp. A275-A284 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Joshua W. Gallaway ◽

Abhinav M. Gaikwad ◽

Benjamin Hertzberg ◽

Can K. Erdonmez ◽

Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zinc Anode

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Rendez vous with Saturn's rings

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100101885 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 743-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kerry T. Nock

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Electric Propulsion ◽

Power Source ◽

Propulsion System ◽

Low Thrust ◽

Ring Plane ◽

The Earth ◽

Total Impulse ◽

Saturn's Rings

ABSTRACTA mission to rendezvous with the rings of Saturn is studied with regard to science rationale and instrumentation and engineering feasibility and design. Future detailedin situexploration of the rings of Saturn will require spacecraft systems with enormous propulsive capability. NASA is currently studying the critical technologies for just such a system, called Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP). Electric propulsion is the only technology which can effectively provide the required total impulse for this demanding mission. Furthermore, the power source must be nuclear because the solar energy reaching Saturn is only 1% of that at the Earth. An important aspect of this mission is the ability of the low thrust propulsion system to continuously boost the spacecraft above the ring plane as it spirals in toward Saturn, thus enabling scientific measurements of ring particles from only a few kilometers.

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