Research progress on integrated air electrodes for rechargeable Zn-air batteries

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0530

Abstract

Abstract:

Rechargeable Zn-air battery is considered a promising green energy device due to the advantages of high specific energy, stable working voltage, good safety, and no environmental pollution. However, the air electrode of rechargeable Zn-air batteries requires reversible oxygen reduction and evolution reactions during the discharging and charging process. Because these reactions involve a solid-liquid-gas three-phase interface, the kinetic process is very slow. Therefore, it is essential to design air electrodes with efficient catalytic action. In this study, first, we describe the principle of rechargeable Zn-air batteries and the structure of air electrodes. Second, we present the structural characteristics and performance differences between traditional air electrodes and integrated air electrodes. By surveying the recent literature related to the integrated air electrodes of rechargeable Zn-air batteries, the preparation of integrated air electrodes comprising different conductive substrates and catalysts and the research progress of their Zn-air battery performance are reviewed. Further, the advantages, disadvantages, and existing problems of carbon-and metal-based integrated electrodes are summarized, and the future optimization and improvement directions of these two electrodes are proposed. The relevance and improvement strategies of the three-phase interface structure of air electrodes are also presented; the analyses prove that constructing reasonable three-phase interfaces can effectively improve the transport kinetics of electrochemical reactions. Finally, the difficulties in the practical application of rechargeable Zn-air batteries are highlighted.

Key words: Zn-air batteries, rechargeable, air electrodes, catalytic action

CLC Number:

TM 911

Yanqi LIU, Zhaohai SONG, Tian HE, Zuoqiang DAI, Zongmin ZHENG. Research progress on integrated air electrodes for rechargeable Zn-air batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(2): 383-397.

Figures/Tables 6

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