Improving Performance and Cyclability of Printed Flexible Zinc-air Batteries using Carbopol Gel Electrolyte

摘要

The formation of dendritic zinc during recharge is a critical issue hindering the widespread application of rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Here, we demonstrate that the dendritic growth of zinc can be effectively suppressed using Carbopol gel electrolyte. This work investigates the effects of the concentration of Carbopol (0-3.5 wt.%) on polarization characteristic and a discharge/recharge profile of the batteries. Moreover, the morphology of the zinc anodes and their electrochemical parameters were examined as a function of cycling. The gel electrolyte significantly changes the anode/electrolyte interface and affects the nucleation and growth of zinc, resulting in effective inhibition of zinc dendrites. Therefore, cyclability of the batteries was considerably enhanced. However, increasing the concentration of Carbopol leaded to increasing the internal resistance of the batteries but a reduction in resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface.