| AVS 61st International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Electronic Materials and Processing | Wednesday Sessions |
| Session EM+EN+TF-WeA |
| Session: | Thin Films and Materials for Energy Storage |
| Presenter: | Joseph Parker, Naval Research Laboratory |
| Authors: | J.F. Parker, Naval Research Laboratory C.N. Chervin, Naval Research Laboratory I.R. Pala, National Research Council postdoc working at Naval Research Laboratory E.S. Nelson, Pathways Student working at Naval Research Laboratory J.W. Long, Naval Research Laboratory D.R. Rolison, Naval Research Laboratory |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
While Li-ion batteries presently dominate the energy-storage landscape, zinc-based batteries offer a compelling alternative due to the earth-abundance of zinc, innate safety and cost advantages that arise from using aqueous electrolytes, and device-realized specific energy that is comparable to or higher than Li-ion. Yet the performance of present-day Zn-based batteries is hindered by suboptimal Zn utilization (typically <60% of theoretical capacity) and poor rechargeability—a consequence of the complex dissolution/precipitation processes that accompany Zn/Zn2+ cycling and the ad hoc construction of conventional powdered-bed Zn anodes. We address these limitations by designing and fabricating highly conductive, porous, and 3D-wired Zn “sponge” electrodes from emulsion-cast, consolidated Zn powders that are thermally treated to produce rugged monolithic forms. With this 3D Zn architecture, we achieve >90% Zn utilization when discharged in primary Zn–air cells with retention of the 3D framework of the Zn sponge and uniform deposition of charge/discharge products at the surfaces of the Zn sponge, as verified by scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. We further show that the structural characteristics of the Zn sponge promote greater rechargeability when cycled in prototype Ag–Zn and Ni–Zn cells. Our results demonstrate that all Zn-based chemistries can now be reformulated for next-generation rechargeable batteries.