Ze Ma

Bio: Ze Ma is an academic researcher from Tsinghua University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electrolyte & Zinc–air battery. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 11 publications receiving 620 citations.

Dendrite growth in the recharging process of zinc–air batteries

Abstract: To improve the cycling performance of rechargeable zinc–air batteries, the dendritic morphology of electrodeposited zinc should be effectively controlled. It is of crucial importance to understand the formation mechanism of the zinc dendritic structure. Here we show that an electrochemical phase-field model is established to simulate dendrite growth of electrodeposited zinc, and several measures including the pulsating current and the electrolyte flow are taken to suppress dendrite growth in the charging process. The results demonstrate that dendrite propagation is mainly controlled by diffusion dependent on overpotential and surface energy anisotropy, and dendritic morphology can also give rise to non-uniform distribution of the electric field and ion concentration in the electrolyte. The proposed model and solutions will be available for studying dendrite growth of metal–air batteries as well as metal electrodeposition.

Toward Safe Lithium Metal Anode in Rechargeable Batteries: A Review.

Abstract: The lithium metal battery is strongly considered to be one of the most promising candidates for high-energy-density energy storage devices in our modern and technology-based society. However, uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth induces poor cycling efficiency and severe safety concerns, dragging lithium metal batteries out of practical applications. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the lithium metal anode and its dendritic lithium growth. First, the working principles and technical challenges of a lithium metal anode are underscored. Specific attention is paid to the mechanistic understandings and quantitative models for solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, lithium dendrite nucleation, and growth. On the basis of previous theoretical understanding and analysis, recently proposed strategies to suppress dendrite growth of lithium metal anode and some other metal anodes are reviewed. A section dedicated to the potential of full-cell lithium metal batteries for practical applicatio...

Highly reversible zinc metal anode for aqueous batteries.

Abstract: Metallic zinc (Zn) has been regarded as an ideal anode material for aqueous batteries because of its high theoretical capacity (820 mA h g–1), low potential (−0.762 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode), high abundance, low toxicity and intrinsic safety. However, aqueous Zn chemistry persistently suffers from irreversibility issues, as exemplified by its low coulombic efficiency (CE) and dendrite growth during plating/ stripping, and sustained water consumption. In this work, we demonstrate that an aqueous electrolyte based on Zn and lithium salts at high concentrations is a very effective way to address these issues. This unique electrolyte not only enables dendrite-free Zn plating/stripping at nearly 100% CE, but also retains water in the open atmosphere, which makes hermetic cell configurations optional. These merits bring unprecedented flexibility and reversibility to Zn batteries using either LiMn2O4 or O2 cathodes—the former deliver 180 W h kg–1 while retaining 80% capacity for >4,000 cycles, and the latter deliver 300 W h kg–1 (1,000 W h kg–1 based on the cathode) for >200 cycles.

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

Abstract: 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.

Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Media: From Mechanisms to Recent Advances of Catalysts

Abstract: The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important electrode reaction for energy storage and conversion devices based on oxygen electrocatalysis. This paper introduces the thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, and reaction pathways of ORR in aqueous alkaline media. Recent advances of the catalysts for ORR were extensively reviewed, including precious metals, nonmetal-doped carbon, carbon–transition metal hybrids, transition metal oxides with spinel and perovskite structures, and so forth. The applications of those ORR catalysts to zinc–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells were briefly introduced. A concluding remark summarizes the current status of the reaction pathways, advanced catalysts, and the future challenges of the research and development of ORR.