ZnO activation of aluminum for energy generation in physiological saline buffer

Abstract

In this work we characterize an Al/Au/ZnO anode for the development of an aluminum hybrid battery to power sensors using physiological buffers. ZnO nano-seed layers grown on the Al/Au electrode through a sol-gel deposition technique allow for increased electrical output over standard aluminum electrodes. The cell operated under varying neutral buffers allowing for smaller packaging, more environmental and safe operation for biomedical applications over popular alkaline batteries. Discharge of the aluminum anode is accompanied with the incorporation of phosphate in the electrolyte to allow for the safe formation of biocompatible crystals containing reduced phosphite structures bonded with alumina. The Al/Au/ZnO anode was paired with a cathode made of aggregated carbon nanotubes, buckypaper, to create a hybrid battery with enough power to power an average pacemaker and resulted in an open circuit voltage of 0.767 V. A maximum power density of 2.63 mW/ cm2 was observed in physiological saline buffer at a cell voltage and current density of 147 mV and 1.77 mA/ cm2, respectively.