Zinc–air batteries feature high energy density, but they usually suffer from their short storage life after they start working, restricting their commercial applications. In the past, scholars did not reach an agreement on the influencing factors of the performance degradation of zinc–air batteries when exposed to air. Here, a series of comparative experiments were conducted to confirm the changes of the battery during storage after being exposed to air. The morphology and composition of the components of the battery were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analyses. SEM images revealed that with the increase of storage days, the corrosion of the zinc anode gradually deepens, but the surface morphology of the air cathode does not change much. The electrolyte of the batteries stored for different periods was examined through inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy and titration. After 20 days of storage, the concentration of CO32− reached 2.694 mol L−1, which indicates that more than 80% of the OH− in the electrolyte was consumed. The results show that after being exposed to air, the carbonation of the electrolyte is the main cause of the battery capacity decay.
First principles investigation of zinc-anode dissolution in zinc–air batteries