Recent advances and challenges in divalent and multivalent metal electrodes for metal–air batteries
06 Aug 2019-Journal of Materials Chemistry (The Royal Society of Chemistry)-Vol. 7, Iss: 31, pp 18183-18208
TL;DR: In this article, different types of MABs are overviewed from the perspective of the metal electrodes, and the advantages and disadvantages of each system are presented, and recent advances that address challenges such as corrosion, passivation and dendrite growth are introduced.
Abstract: Metal–air batteries (MABs), which possess exceptionally high energy density and exhibit other ideal features such as low cost, environmental benignity and safety, are regarded as promising candidates for the next generation of power sources. The performance of MABs and the challenges involved in these systems are primarily related to metal electrodes. In the present work, different types of MABs are overviewed from the perspective of the metal electrodes. Most metal electrodes that have been studied in recent years are reviewed, among which Zn, Al, Mg and Fe are highlighted. The advantages and disadvantages of each system are presented, and recent advances that address challenges such as corrosion, passivation and dendrite growth are introduced. In addition, investigations focused on revealing interactions between the metal electrodes and electrolytes or exploring electrolytes to improve the performance of metal electrodes are also discussed. Finally, a general perspective on the current situation of this field and on future research directions is provided.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarized the solutions to minimize the negative effects of zinc electrodes on discharge performance, cycling life, and shelf life and proposed the future direction of academic research based on current studies of the existing challenges.
Abstract: Alkaline zinc–air batteries are promising energy storage technologies with the advantages of low cost, ecological friendliness, and high energy density. However, the rechargeable zinc–air battery has not been used on a commercial scale because the zinc electrode suffers from critical problems such as passivation, dendrite growth, and hydrogen evolution reaction, which limit the practical applications of zinc–air batteries. Herein, the Perspective summaries the solutions to minimize the negative effects of zinc electrodes on discharge performance, cycling life, and shelf life. The future direction of academic research based on current studies of the existing challenges is proposed.
232 citations
TL;DR: The properties of LIBs, including their operation mechanism, battery design and construction, and advantages and disadvantages, have been analyzed in detail to provide insight into the development of grid-level energy storage systems.
Abstract: In the electrical energy transformation process, the grid-level energy storage system plays an essential role in balancing power generation and utilization. Batteries have considerable potential for application to grid-level energy storage systems because of their rapid response, modularization, and flexible installation. Among several battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) exhibit high energy efficiency, long cycle life, and relatively high energy density. In this perspective, the properties of LIBs, including their operation mechanism, battery design and construction, and advantages and disadvantages, have been analyzed in detail. Moreover, the performance of LIBs applied to grid-level energy storage systems is analyzed in terms of the following grid services: (1) frequency regulation; (2) peak shifting; (3) integration with renewable energy sources; and (4) power management. In addition, the challenges encountered in the application of LIBs are discussed and possible research directions aimed at overcoming these challenges are proposed to provide insight into the development of grid-level energy storage systems.
223 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the application and research progress of biomaterials in electrochemical energy storage in the past three years and summarized the current research status of biomass-derived porous carbon in energy storage, potential future development directions and current challenges.
197 citations
01 Jul 2020
180 citations
TL;DR: A sunlight-promoted rechargeable zinc–air battery in which photoelectrode is used as the air electrode to substantially lower the charge potential under illumination is reported, which can be initially charged with an extremely low voltage.
Abstract: Directly harvesting solar energy for battery charging represents an ultimate solution toward low-cost, green, efficient and sustainable electrochemical energy storage. Here, we design a sunlight promotion strategy into rechargeable zinc–air battery with significantly reduced charging potential below the theoretical cell voltage of zinc–air batteries. The sunlight-promoted zinc–air battery using BiVO4 or α-Fe2O3 air photoelectrode achieves a record-low charge potential of ~1.20 and ~1.43 V, respectively, under illumination, which is lowered by ~0.5–0.8 V compared to the typical charge voltage of ~2 V in conventional zinc–air battery. The band structure and photoelectrochemical stability of photoelectrodes are found to be key factors determining the charging performance of sunlight-promoted zinc–air batteries. The introduction of photoelectrode as an air electrode opens a facile way for developing integrated single-unit zinc–air batteries that can efficiently use solar energy to overcome the high charging overpotential of conventional zinc–air batteries. The authors here report a sunlight-promoted rechargeable zinc–air battery in which photoelectrode is used as the air electrode to substantially lower the charge potential under illumination. Notably, the battery can be initially charged with an extremely low voltage of ~1.20 V.
174 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed review of the corrosion mechanisms of magnesium alloys is presented, and the basis for the design of new alloys with improved corrosion properties is provided for improving the corrosion properties.
Abstract: The high strength to weight ratio of magnesium alloys makes them extremely attractive for applications in transport or aerospace technology. However, their corrosion behavior is a major issue and one reason why they are still not as popular as aluminum alloys. This papers reviews the corrosion mechanisms of magnesium and provides the basis for the design of new alloys with improved corrosion properties.
1,922 citations
TL;DR: 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.
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.
1,071 citations
TL;DR: A review of recent advances in understanding the chemistry and electrochemistry that govern the operation of the lithium-air battery, especially the reactions at the cathode, is presented in this paper.
Abstract: The rechargeable lithium–air battery has the highest theoretical specific energy of any rechargeable battery and could transform energy storage if a practical device could be realized. At the fundamental level, little was known about the reactions and processes that take place in the battery, representing a significant barrier to progress. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the chemistry and electrochemistry that govern the operation of the lithium–air battery, especially the reactions at the cathode. The mechanisms of O2 reduction to Li2O2 on discharge and the reverse process on charge are discussed in detail, as are their consequences for the rate and capacity of the battery. The various parasitic reactions involving the cathode and electrolyte during discharge and charge are also considered. We also provide views on understanding the stability of the cathode and electrolyte and examine design principles for better lithium–air batteries. Lithium–air batteries offer great promise for high-energy storage capability but also pose tremendous challenges for their realization. This Review surveys recent advances in understanding the fundamental science that governs lithium–air battery operation, focusing on the reactions at the oxygen electrode.
962 citations
TL;DR: A survey of previous work related to the relationship between grain size and corrosion resistance for a number of light metamodel classes can be found in this article, with a focus on the effect of grain size on corrosion.
Abstract: Grain refinement is known to lead to improvements in strength and wear resistance. Inherent processing involved in grain refinement alter both the bulk and the surface of a material, leading to changes in grain boundary density, orientation, and residual stress. Ultimately, these surface changes can have an impact on electrochemical behavior and, consequently, corrosion susceptibility as evidenced by the large number of studies on the effect of grain size on corrosion, which span a range of materials and test environments. However, there has been limited work on developing a fundamental understanding of how grain refinement and more generally how grain size affects the corrosion resistance of an alloy. Existing literature is often contradictory, even within the same alloy class, and a coherent understanding of how grain size influences corrosion response is largely lacking. A survey of previous work related to the relationship between grain size and corrosion resistance for a number of light meta...
873 citations
03 Apr 2019
TL;DR: In this article, the authors set the extensive market penetration of lithium-ion battery-powered EVs as an ultimate objective and then discussed recent advances and challenges of electric automobiles, mainly focusing on critical element resources, present and future EV markets, and the cost and performance of Li-ion batteries.
Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most suitable energy storage device for powering electric vehicles (EVs) owing to their attractive properties including high energy efficiency, lack of memory effect, long cycle life, high energy density and high power density. These advantages allow them to be smaller and lighter than other conventional rechargeable batteries such as lead–acid batteries, nickel–cadmium batteries (Ni–Cd) and nickel–metal hydride batteries (Ni–MH). Modern EVs, however, still suffer from performance barriers (range, charging rate, lifetime, etc.) and technological barriers (high cost, safety, reliability, etc.), limiting their widespread adoption. Given these facts, this review sets the extensive market penetration of LIB-powered EVs as an ultimate objective and then discusses recent advances and challenges of electric automobiles, mainly focusing on critical element resources, present and future EV markets, and the cost and performance of LIBs.
Finally, novel battery chemistries and technologies including high-energy electrode materials and all-solid-state batteries are also evaluated for their potential capabilities in next-generation long-range EVs.
645 citations