Discovery made zinc air batteries rechargeable

Zinc air batteries are unique batteries that can replace lithium-ion batteries, only they have a significant drawback. Basically, zinc air batteries are disposable, as they are not rechargeable. But a research team from the University of Münster seems to have found a solution to this problem and, along the way, further increase the efficiency of the battery.

Features of zinc air batteries

Unlike "classic" batteries, in which all the cells are packed in a strong and sealed container (case), zinc air batteries require oxygen from the environment to operate.

Roughly speaking, such batteries literally "breathe" oxygen, which interacts with the cathode. And as a result of this interaction, molecules are formed that pass through the pasty alkaline electrolyte and react with the zinc anode. This is how the generation of electric current occurs.

But the whole catch lies in the fact that after such an interaction with atmospheric oxygen, the zinc anode is consumed during the oxidation process, and this makes the battery disposable (not rechargeable).

New development of scientists

In order to eliminate this shortcoming of zinc air batteries, scientists have created a completely new type of electrolyte. Instead of a pasty substance, it was decided to use a more liquid version based on zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate salt, which makes the electrolyte non-alkaline.

And, according to the developers, their new electrolyte is more chemically stable, and more importantly, it is reversible, in other words, it has become rechargeable.

According to the leading research specialist V. Suna, a non-alkaline electrolyte they created, brings a hitherto unknown reversible zinc peroxide (ZnO2) / O2 chemistry.

After the tests carried out, the zinc air battery with the new type of electrolyte showed decent results. So after 320 charge-discharge cycles and about 1600 hours of operation, the battery turned out to be completely stable, which was explained by the effect of water-repellent anions in the electrolyte, which protected from water cathode.

As the scientists themselves admit, their zinc air battery is still very far from full-fledged commercial use, but already at this stage they see excellent prospects.

After all, their batteries have such advantages (in comparison with lithium-ion) such as high environmental friendliness of production, high safety and low cost of the product.

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