MEMBRANE-FREE NON-FLOWING SINGLE CELL ZINC BROMINE BATTERY WITH BROMINE-TRAPPING COMPOSITE CARBON FOAM ELECTRODE

摘要

Systems and methods pertain to minimal architecture zinc-bromine battery (MA-ZBB) designs which include a conductive carbon foam electrode disposed in a zinc-bromine electrolyte. The foam electrode generates and stores liquid bromine during a charging cycle of battery. A carbon cloth suspended in the electrolyte forms a zinc electrode. A self-discharge behavior of liquid bromine released from the foam electrode attacks any dendritic zinc creeping towards the foam electrode to create a self-discharging function for increased lifetime of the battery. The zinc-bromine battery does not include complexing agents, pumps and membranes, thus reducing cost and failure points and leading to a minimal architecture. Imaging techniques based on distinct colors associated with different concentrations of liquid bromine in the electrolyte are employed to detect battery operation and improve performance.