Recent Developments in Organic Electrodes for Metal-Air Batteries

Abstract

AbstractRecently, the ongoing rapid development of electric transportation technology and stationary applications is the most important reason for the ever-increasing demand for advanced electrochemical energy storage devices. Metal-air batteries (MABs) are viewed as promising energy suppliers thanks to their advantages in terms of high theoretical energy density and safety. The electrode materials are the most important components, determining the performance of batteries and realizing their practical applications. Up to now, various types of air electrodes, such as noble metals and carbon-based materials, have been reported in MAB applications. Besides, on the anode side, coating and alloying strategies using metals and carbon materials have been employed to suppress the main issues like dendrite formation and corrosion of the anode. The attention rate on organic compounds as active materials are rising in energy storage devices due to their electrochemical performance, diversity in the structures, and flexibility. However, despite the many attempts toward using organic materials in MIBs, these materials are barely reported as electrodes for air batteries. In this chapter, a brief explanation of the MAB configuration and the reaction mechanisms at air electrodes is provided. Then, the most recent developments and progress of organic-based electrodes in these batteries are discussed.KeywordsOrganic materialsMetal-air batteriesAir cathode electrode