Zinc-air batteries have attracted much attention and received revived research efforts recently due to their high energy density, which makes them a promising candidate for emerging mobile and electronic applications. Besides their high energy density, they also demonstrate other desirable characteristics, such as abundant raw materials, environmental friendliness, safety, and low cost. Here, the reaction mechanism of electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries is discussed, different battery configurations are compared, and an in depth discussion is offered of the major issues that affect individual cellular components, along with respective strategies to alleviate these issues to enhance battery performance. Additionally, a section dedicated to battery-testing techniques and corresponding recommendations for best practices are included. Finally, a general perspective on the current limitations, recent application-targeted developments, and recommended future research directions to prolong the lifespan of electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries is provided.

Electrically Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

Studies with porous zinc electrodes with additives for secondary alkaline batteries

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate in strongly alkaline solution has been studied using nickel, lead, zinc and iron cathodes. Intermediate formation of nitrite ion and ammonia product was observed for all electrode materials. Coating a nickel sponge electrode with phthalocyanine renders it less active toward nitrate reduction, while iron electrodes appear to be activated. Electrolysis between a lead cathode and a nickel anode is an efficient means of removing nitrate from strongly alkaline solutions.

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Electroreduction of nitrate ions in concentrated sodium hydroxide solutions at lead, zinc, nickel and phthalocyanine-modified electrodes

Effect of additives on zinc electrodes in alkaline battery systems

Zinc is evaluated as a negative electrode for the direct electrochemical oxidation of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) Open-circuit potential measurements, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry are used to characterize the electrode behavior, namely, the oxidation reaction at the Zn/borohydride interface Two consecutive oxidation steps are identified, and a possible working mechanism is proposed A relatively low electrocatalytic activity of Zn for borohydride oxidation is indicated A laboratory direct sodium borohydride/hydrogen peroxide (NaBH 4 /H 2 O 2 ) fuel cell using a Zn anode is studied at room temperature Cell voltages of 214 V and short-circuit currents of 105 A cm ―2 are reported but cell stability is limited to 6 h operation Energy densities and maximum specific capacities of 2799 Wh kg ―1 and 1577 Ah kg ―1 , respectively, are obtained A power density of about 470 mW cm ―2 at a cell voltage of 110 V and a current density of 426 mA cm ―2 is reported but it cannot be sustained for appreciable operation times

Zinc Anode for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

The results of impedance measurements at zinc electrodes in alkali are presented. The effects of adsorption at these electrodes are discussed and it is shown that zinc electrodes of different metallurgical histories display corresponding differences in reactivity.

N. A. Hampson

Papers

Reactions at solid metal electrodes. Part 1.—Faradaic impedance of zinc electrodes in alkaline solution