MCM-41/PVA Composite as a Separator for Zinc-Air Batteries.

Sirinuch Nanthapong,Soorathep Kheawhom,Chalida Klaysom

doi:10.3390/ijms21197052

Sirinuch Nanthapong, Soorathep Kheawhom + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197052

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Abstract

Membrane separators are one of the critical components in zinc–air batteries (ZABs). In the control of mass transfer, and hence, electrochemical reaction, membrane separators have an important role to play. This work addresses the issue of battery performance in a ZAB via a new composite membrane separator based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). To enhance the electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity, mesoporous Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (MCM-41) is incorporated as a filler in the membrane while maintaining its integrity. The presence of MCM-41 is seen to reduce the number of cycles of secondary ZABs due to the uninvited drawbacks of increased zincate crossover and reduced triple phase boundary at the air cathode, which is pivotal for oxygen reduction reaction. Overall, results suggest that the application of the MCM-41/PVA composite has the potential for use as a separator in high-capacity primary ZABs.

Highlights

Zinc–air batteries (ZABs), being one of the relatively well-established metal–air batteries, has gained much attention because of their high potential as alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) [1]
Different amounts of MCM-41 particles were added to the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form the composite membrane separator
It is believed that a membrane separator possessing high electrolyte uptake and high amorphous phase could promote the transportation of hydroxide ions and battery performance [34]

Summary

Introduction

Zinc–air batteries (ZABs), being one of the relatively well-established metal–air batteries, has gained much attention because of their high potential as alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) [1]. Zinc (Zn), used as an active material in ZABs, is abundant and cheap [2,3]. The theoretical energy density of ZABs (~1086 Wh/kg) is estimated to be five times higher than that of existing LIBs, commercialization of ZABs is hindered by several technical issues. These challenges are mostly related to component materials such as electrodes, electrolyte, and separator [5]. In comparison to other components, the separator, which is a key component for controlling the mass transport of electrochemical reactions, has not yet received its deserved attention

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