Three-Dimensional Zinc Electrode Architectures for Rechargeable Alkaline Batteries

摘要

Since the invention of the Leclanche cell in 1866, zinc has remained one of the most common and trusted electrode materials for commercial primary batteries. Broader implementation of zinc-based batteries is currently hindered by poor rechargeability - a consequence of the complex dissolution/precipitation processes that accompanies Zn/Zn~(2+) cycling and the ad hoc construction of conventional powdered-bed Zn anodes. We fabricate Zn "sponge" electrodes from emulsion-cast, consolidated Zn powders that are thermally treated to produce rugged monolithic forms. With this Zn sponge architecture, a highly conductive scaffold wired in 3D, we are now able to achieve Zn utilization up to ～90% (720 mA h g_(Zn)~(-1)) when discharged in primary Zn-air cells and dendrite-free cycling in symmetric Zn-Zn test cells and prototype Ag-Zn cells, up to 328 mA h g_(Zn)~(-1). This paper describes the role of precursor Zn particle size on the physical and electrochemical characteristics of the resulting Zn sponge.