Abstract

Zn–air batteries are becoming the promising power sources for portable and wearable electronic devices and hybrid/electric vehicles because of their high specific energy density and the low cost for next‐generation green and sustainable energy technologies. An air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst is the most important component and inevitably determines the performance and cost of a Zn–air battery. This article presents exciting advances and challenges related to air electrodes and their relatives. After a brief introduction of the Zn–air battery, the architectures and oxygen electrocatalysts of air electrodes and relevant electrolytes are highlighted in primary and rechargeable types with different configurations, respectively. Moreover, the individual components and major issues of flexible Zn–air batteries are also highlighted, along with the strategies to enhance the battery performance. Finally, a perspective for design, preparation, and assembly of air electrodes is proposed for the future innovations of Zn–air batteries with high performance.

Highlights

  • The effective and feasible solution to address the mismatch is to exploit energy and wearable electronic devices and hybrid/electric vehicles because of their storage and conversion technologies, and high specific energy density and the low cost for next-generation green and sustainable energy technologies

  • We summarize the continuous developments of Zn–air batteries, especially the exciting evolution of air electrodes over the past decades

  • Considerable progresses have been made in recent years, there are still many problems need to be addressed

Read more

Summary

Zn–Air Batteries

Zn–air battery was initially proposed in 1878, while the silver wire acted as the air electrode.[26]. Zehua Dong is currently a full professor in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in 2001. Hongfang Liu is currently a full professor in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in 2000. Bao Yu Xia is currently a full professor in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China He received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in 2010. Extensive researches focusing on Zn–air batteries with outstanding electrochemical performance are growing in the flexible and wearable electronic devices for consumer batteries and rechargeable cells for power sources

Configuration of a Zn–Air Battery
Electrolyte of a Zn–Air Battery
Reaction Process of a Primary Zn–Air Battery
Air Electrode Architecture of a Primary Zn–Air Battery
Oxygen Electrocatalysts of a Primary Zn–Air Battery
Reactions in a Rechargeable Zn–Air Battery
Configurations of a Rechargeable Zn–Air Battery
Air Electrode for a Rechargeable Zn–Air Battery
Oxygen Electrocatalyst for a Rechargeable Zn–Air Battery
Flexible Zn–Air Batteries
Flexible Electrode
Electrolyte
Configurations of a Flexible Zn–Air Battery
Conclusion and Outlook
Findings
Conflict of Interest

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.