Patent Application
20230387512
This application claims the benefit of the European Patent Application EP20382950.2 filed on Oct. 30, 2020.
The present disclosure relates to the field of rechargeable batteries. In particular, it relates to an aqueous secondary zinc-air battery having a particular cell configuration, as well as to a process for its preparation.
Secondary zinc-air batteries have a high energy density compared to other zinc anode batteries due to its free and unlimited oxygen supply from the ambient air. However, since the air electrode must be sufficiently porous to permit the air passage, zinc-air battery is susceptible to water loss and hence electrolyte drying out, this giving rise to a low reversibility.
Several challenges are being faced in the state of the art to improve secondary zinc-air batteries. Although cell drying is a well-known challenge reported in the state of the art, major efforts are oriented to material development without providing any cell engineering solution, which is critical to achieve a viable secondary zinc-air battery.
In order to be viable for practical applications, secondary zinc-air batteries require the reduction of non-active materials such as the electrolyte system. However, once the electrolyte volume is reduced, the cell drying becomes a critical problem, as secondary zinc-air battery is an open system in contact with the surrounding air. Cell drying promotes the inactivation of zinc active material particles, what considerably reduces the reversibility and the electrochemical properties of the secondary zinc-air battery.
Different approaches have been followed in the prior art for avoiding cell drying, such as the electrolyte modification (e.g. solid electrolyte), the utilization of a zinc paste (containing a gelling agent presenting an electrolyte immobilizing ability), or the incorporation of different selective membranes or separators.
EP0518407 discloses a half-cell which comprises a zinc-containing anode, wherein an electrolyte reservoir is disposed between the cathode and the zinc-containing anode.
In spite of the above, there is still a need of further solutions for providing secondary zinc-air batteries with improved cycling performance and high reversibility.
The inventors have found a cell configuration that delays the problem of the electrolyte evaporation in a secondary zinc-air battery. The cell configuration of the present disclosure allows optimizing the performance of a secondary zinc-air battery by means of placing the electrolyte reservoir in an optimal location, close to the zinc anode and away from the air electrode. Although a priori it might seem that this approach would not assure the flow of the electrolyte from behind the zinc anode to the bifunctional air electrode, surprisingly, electrolyte drying is reduced and, as a consequence, an improved reversibility is obtained compared with cell designs disclosed in the prior art.
Thus, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising:
Advantageously, the electrolyte reservoir placed next to the zinc-containing anode (both separated by a separator) and away from the BAE supplies electrolyte to the zinc paste as the electrolyte evaporates, thus preventing the flooding of the BAE, as opposed to a configuration wherein the free electrolyte is placed between the zinc-containing anode and the BAE. Free electrolyte close to the BAE is avoided and, consequently, the evaporation is delayed and the durability of the cell is increased.
Thus, it is understood that the free electrolyte contained in a reservoir and the BAE are not next to each other, but the zinc-containing anode is disposed between the BAE and the free electrolyte. It is also understood that no electrolyte is disposed between the BAE and the zinc-containing anode.
It is also part of the invention a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising only one free electrolyte contained in a reservoir, and thus, one aspect of the invention could be defined as a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising:
A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell as defined above, the process comprising assembling the BAE, the zinc-containing anode, the first separator, the second separator, and the free electrolyte contained in a reservoir, in such a way that the zinc-containing anode is disposed between the BAE and the free electrolyte and is separated from the BAE by the first separator and separated from the free electrolyte by the second separator.
A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a secondary zinc-air battery comprising at least one secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell as defined herein above and below.
All terms as used herein in this application, unless otherwise stated, shall be understood in their ordinary meaning as known in the art.
The term “paste”, as used herein, refers to a viscous water-based dispersion of particles.
The term “free electrolyte”, as used herein, relates to the electrolyte that is not forming part of a mixture, such as in the zinc-containing anode, namely to the electrolyte that is contained in a reservoir.
Within the scope of the present disclosure, the term “saturated solution” or “saturation” related to the concentration of a compound (such as ZnO) in an aqueous solution means a solution containing a concentration of the compound that is equal to the maximum amount of compound that can be dissolved at a specific temperature and pH. Particularly, the saturation concentration of a compound is at room temperature (taken as being around 20° C., typically 20 to 23° C.).
As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” are synonymous with “at least one” or “one or more”. Unless indicated otherwise, definite articles used herein, such as “the”, also include the plural of the noun.
As mentioned above, an object of the present disclosure is a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising a bifunctional air electrode (BAE); a zinc-containing anode; a free electrolyte contained in a reservoir; at least one first separator and at least one second separator, which can be equal or different; the zinc-containing anode being disposed between the BAE and the free electrolyte, and being separated from the BAE by the at least one first separator and from the free electrolyte by the at least one second separator, and wherein the free electrolyte contained in a reservoir is not disposed between the BAE and the zinc-containing anode.
In a particular embodiment, the secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprises only one reservoir (see
In another embodiment, the secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell consists of:
The electrolyte in the zinc-containing anode can be equal or different to the free electrolyte in the reservoir.
In another embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more features of the particular embodiments defined above, the weight ratio of free electrolyte in the reservoir:zinc active material is from 0.05:1 to 1:1.
In case the cell comprises more than one first separators and/or one or more second separators, the first separators can be equal or different, the second separators can be equal or different, and the first and second separators can also be equal or different.
It should be also noticed that this approach is compatible with different formulations of zinc anode, BAE and/or electrolyte systems and, even, with different separators. The separators between the zinc anode and electrolyte tank, and between the zinc anode and
BAE are placed in order to avoid physical/chemical migration of the components of the zinc-containing anode.
A separator commonly used in the preparation of zinc-air batteries can be used. Examples of separators include, without being limited to, a glass fibre separator, polymeric materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyamide (PA), and combinations thereof such as Celgard® (e.g. 5550). Selective anion-exchange membranes could also be used as separators. Advantageously, selective anion-exchange membranes favor the crossing of desirable species such as OH− ions to the BAE, while disfavor the crossing of water, Zn(OH)42− or other ions coming from electrolyte additives (such as CO32−, K+), thus avoiding cell drying or BAE poisoning.
Electrolyte (Aqueous Alkaline Electrolyte System)
In the zinc-air cell of the present disclosure, electrolytes commonly used in the preparation of zinc-air batteries can be used.
ZnO, KF and K2CO3 have been reported as effective electrolyte additives to improve the reversibility of nickel-zinc systems. The electrochemical reactions that take place in this technology at the anodic level are the same as in the zinc-air technology. The mentioned additives reduce the high dissolution of zinc in the aqueous alkaline electrolyte system, thus avoiding to some extent the electrode shape change and dendrite growth. Besides, although it is known that low concentrations of KOH and high concentrations of KF and K2CO3 are preferred to improve the electrochemical performance of zinc anodes, bifunctional air electrodes used in zinc-air technology require additive free and high KOH concentration based electrolyte formulation. Consequently, a proper formulation for secondary zinc-air battery requires a compromise between both electrodes.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more features of the particular embodiments defined above, the electrolyte formulation used in the secondary zinc-air cell of the present disclosure is an aqueous solution comprising from 0.1 M to 15 M KOH, from 0 M to 6 M KF, from 0 M to 6 M K2CO3, and from 0 M ZnO to saturation with ZnO. In an example, the electrolyte formulation is based on an aqueous solution comprising about 7 M KOH, about 1.4 M KF, and about 1.4 M K2CO3, and saturated with ZnO.
Zinc-Containing Anode
In the zinc-air cell of the present disclosure, zinc-containing anodes commonly used in the preparation of zinc-air batteries can be used.
The zinc active material of the zinc-containing anode usually comprises metallic zinc powder and, optionally, ZnO. The addition of ZnO provides reserves of discharge product and deals with another critical issue, that is the control of anode volume changes produced during battery testing due to molar density differences (9.15 cm3 mol−1Zn vs. 14.5 cm3 mol−1 ZnO), what generate internal pressures in the cell. Thus, the initial addition of ZnO to the porous zinc electrode allows accommodating part of this expected volume change.
Thus, in an embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more features of the particular embodiments defined above, the zinc active material is a mixture of metallic zinc powder and ZnO. Optionally, the zinc-containing another further comprises a gelling agent, a binder, or both of them. Examples of gelling agents include, without being limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose, carbopol, and acrylate polymers. Examples of binders include, without being limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene (PE).
In an embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more features of the particular embodiments defined above, the zinc-containing anode is a zinc paste comprising from 50 wt. % to 90 wt. % of zinc powder, from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of ZnO, from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the electrolyte formulation defined above and from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of carboxymethyl cellulose as gelling agent.
Particularly, the zinc powder contains bismuth traces, indium traces, aluminum traces, or mixtures thereof, what promote an increased zinc corrosion resistance. In a particular example, the zinc-containing anode consists of about 46.28 wt. % of zinc powder, about 24.12 wt. % of ZnO, about 28.2 wt. % of the electrolyte system defined above, and about 1.4 wt % of carboxymethyl cellulose. Particularly, the zinc powder contains bismuth, indium and aluminum traces.
Bifunctional Air Electrode (BAE)
In the zinc-air cell of the present disclosure, BAEs commonly used in the preparation of zinc-air batteries can be used. To improve the stability of the BAE, a carbon free electrode was proposed. In an example, a BAE was prepared by mixing 39 wt. % or NiCo2O4, 46 wt. % of Ni and 15 wt. % of PTFE, and pressing the mixture against a stainless steel mesh.
As described above one or more secondary zinc-air electrochemical cells can be packaged in a container in order to get a secondary zinc-air battery.
Also as mentioned above, a second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell as defined above, the process comprising assembling a BAE as defined above, a zinc-containing anode as defined above, a first and a second separator as defined above, and a free electrolyte as defined above, wherein the free electrolyte is contained in a reservoir; in such a way that the zinc-containing anode is disposed between the BAE and the free electrolyte and is separated from the BAE by the first separator and separated from the free electrolyte by the second separator.
Thus, in the process of the present disclosure, the free electrolyte contained in a reservoir is not disposed between the BAE and the zinc-containing anode.
Cell assembling refers to the preparation of cases, gaskets, current collectors, an electrolyte reservoir, and separators with the desired geometrical area, and wherein the cathode, anode (such as a zinc paste) and electrolyte are placed. The electrolyte reservoir can contains an opening for electrolyte filling once the cell is assembled. In an example, a (second) separator and an anodic current collector are placed on top of the electrolyte reservoir. After that, a zinc paste is applied on top of current collector and adjusted to the gasket with desired thickness. Then, a (first) separator is embedded on the electrolyte and placed on top of the zinc anode. Finally, a bifunctional air electrode is placed on top and the electrochemical cell is closed with adjusted pressure to the dimensions and geometry of the cell.
All the embodiments disclosed herein for the secondary zinc-containing anode, i.e. related with the composition of its components, also apply for the process for its preparation.
Throughout the description and claims the word “comprise” encompasses the case of “consisting of”. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and they are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
Preparation of the Electrolyte
An electrolyte formulation was prepared by first preparing an aqueous solution containing 7 M of KOH (Sigma-Aldrich, 85% purity), 1.4 M of KF (Sigma-Aldrich, 99% purity) and 1.4 M of K2CO3 (Sigma-Aldrich, 99% purity). Finally, the obtained solution was saturated with ZnO (Sigma-Aldrich, 99% purity).
Preparation of the Secondary Zinc-Containing Anode
A zinc paste formulation was prepared by mixing 46.28 wt. % zinc (EverZinc, BIA), 24.12 wt. % ZnO (EverZinc), 28.2 wt. % of the electrolyte formulation described above, and 1.4 wt. % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC, Cekol) as gelling agent. It has to be pointed out that metallic zinc powder from EverZinc contains bismuth, indium and aluminum traces which promote an increased zinc corrosion resistance.
Preparation of the Bifunctional Air Electrode
A bifunctional air electrode, which was a carbon free electrode, was prepared by mixing 39 wt. % NiCo2O4 (NCO, Cerpotech), 46 wt. % Ni (StremChem, 3-7 μm) and 15 wt. % PTFE (GoodFellow, 6-9 μm). The mixture was pressed against a stainless steel mesh (Haver & Boecker) applying 1 ton during 2 min where the resulting mixture loading was 126 mg cm−2.
Cell Design
A secondary zinc-air cell comprising an electrolyte, a zinc-containing anode and bifunctional air electrode, and having the configuration as defined above (design C; see
For comparative purposed, a secondary zinc-air cell with design A (see
Comparative Example 3), i.e. similarly as in Example 1 but with an additional electrolyte reservoir between the BAE and the zinc-containing anode, where also assembled.
Electrochemical characterization of the secondary zinc-air cells of Example 1 and Comparative examples 1, 2, and 3 was performed using a BaSyTec Battery Test System. Electrochemical performance of the cells was evaluated at 2 mA cm−2.
It is well known that in secondary zinc-based technologies the specific capacities should be controlled in order to improve the cycling performance. On the contrary, if too high specific capacity is obtained from the zinc anode, the reversibility of the system will be reduced due to the abovementioned anodic volume changes, zinc passivation and electrolyte loss due to the break-up of the gelling agent losing its electrolyte immobilizing ability. Thus, for the purpose of improving the cycling performance, cell were evaluated at 20% of practical capacity using a cut-off voltage of 0.95 V and 2.1 V.
As it is shown in
The main difference between cell designs A, B and D is the electrolyte reservoir. The electrolyte system in cell design A is part of the zinc paste structure, which immobilizes to some extent the electrolyte system. Cell design B, besides having electrolyte included in the zinc paste, also presents free electrolyte system (in a reservoir) between the zinc-containing anode and the BAE, what makes the electrolyte more susceptible to be evaporated due to its proximity to the open side of the cell. Finally, cell design D, besides having electrolyte included in the zinc paste, presents two electrolyte reservoirs; (i) between zinc-containing anode and BAE and, (ii) close to zinc anode as cell design C does. It was observed that when the electrolyte reservoir is between zinc-containing anode and the BAE the later can be damaged (by flooding) due to the long-term cycling conditions.
The cell design C of the present disclosure presents long-term reversibility (more than 1800 h in this example). Since the free electrolyte is not placed close to the open BAE, BAE flooding is more impeded. At the same time, the free electrolyte reservoir can fuel the zinc-containing anode as the electrolyte contained therein dries. All in all, the durability of the cell according to the present disclosure (design C) is significantly higher compared both with durability of cell of designs A, B and D.
1. EP0518407
For reasons of completeness, various aspects of the invention are set out in the following numbered clauses:
1. A secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell comprising:
2. The secondary zinc-air cell of clause 1, wherein the weight ratio of free electrolyte in the reservoir:zinc active material is from 0.05:1 to 1:1.
3. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical battery of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the zinc active material is a mixture of metallic zinc powder and ZnO.
4. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the electrolyte is an aqueous solution comprising from 0.1 M to 15 M KOH, from 0 M to 6 M KF, from 0 M to 6 M K2CO3, and from 0 M ZnO to saturation with ZnO.
5. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the electrolyte is an aqueous solution comprising about 7 M of KOH, about 1.4 M of KF, about 1.4 M of K2CO3, and ZnO until saturation.
6. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the zinc-containing anode is a zinc paste comprising from 50 wt. % to 90 wt. % of zinc, from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of ZnO, from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the electrolyte, and from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of carboxymethyl cellulose.
7. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell of clause 5, wherein the zinc powder contains bismuth traces, indium traces, aluminum traces, or mixtures thereof.
8. The secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell of clauses 5 or 6, wherein the zinc-containing anode consists of about 46.28 wt. % of zinc, about 24.12 wt. % of ZnO, about 28.2 wt. % of the electrolyte, and about 1.4 wt % of carboxymethyl cellulose.
9. A process for the preparation of a secondary zinc-air electrochemical cell as defined in of any one of clauses 1 to 7, the process comprising assembling the BAE, the zinc-containing anode, the first separator, the second separator, and the free electrolyte contained in a reservoir, in such a way that the zinc-containing anode is disposed between the BAE and the free electrolyte and is separated from the BAE by the first separator and separated from the free electrolyte by the second separator.
10. The process of clause 9, wherein the electrolyte is an aqueous solution comprising from 0.1 M to 15 M KOH, from 0 M to 6 M KF, from 0 M to 6 M K2CO3, and from 0 M ZnO to saturation with ZnO.
11. The process of clause 10, wherein the electrolyte is an aqueous solution comprising about 7 M KOH, about 1.4 M KF, about 1.4 M K2CO3, and ZnO until saturation.
12. The process of any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the zinc-containing anode is a zinc paste comprising from 50 wt. % to 90 wt. % of zinc powder, from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of ZnO, from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the electrolyte, and from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of carboxymethyl cellulose.
13. The process of clause 12, wherein the zinc powder contains bismuth traces, indium traces, aluminum traces, or mixtures thereof.
14. The process of clauses 12 or 13, wherein the zinc-containing anode consists of about 46.28 wt. % of zinc powder, about 24.12 wt. % of ZnO, about 28.2 wt. % of the electrolyte, and about 1.4 wt % of carboxymethyl cellulose.
15. A secondary zinc-air battery comprising at least one zinc-air electrochemical cell as defined in in any one of claims 1 to 8.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20382950.2 | Oct 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/075399 | 9/15/2021 | WO |
