Dough-type zinc air battery with self-humidifying system
The Korean Electrochemical Society, ICC JEJU, Korea (2022)
Ok Sung Jeon, Yong Yeol Park, Eun Seo Ko, Se Hun Lee, Dong Pyo Hong, Young Pyo Jeon, Jun Yong Song, Sang Yoon Park
Abstract
Advances in battery technology have encouraged researchers to develop a suitable source of power. Researchers have recently focused on flexibility and portability to apply versatile fields and devices. While the current most commercial system of the market is based on lithium ion batteries, it has significant limitations to reach to the level of achievement that has never been paralleled due to its mature stages of technology. Furthermore, as known, subsequent battery explosion accidents require the development of next-generation batteries with higher stability. For these reasons, new battery systems of zinc air battery are renewed subjects. It had larger energy density, lower prices and more cost-efficient than post-lithium ion technology. On the other hand, Zn-air batteries still have many problems to solve. One significant barrier is its drying out system. Drying out of electrolyte led to decrease ionic conductivity permanently. While proceeding works has been focused on the electrodes and outward appearance such as flexible type or solid-state batteries to increase performance and application, we focused on solving the problem arising from drying out of electrolyte without external devices or systems. In addition, increasing moldability of zinc-air battery to extend application. Utilizing sodium alginate as electrolyte component, we discovered that gum-type zinc-air battery can be manufactured and show self-humidifying property. It was controlled the composition of electrolyte to optimize the tendencies of water adsorption and drying out to have less impact on performance. It shows new concept of development of zinc-air battery system and possibility of increasing durability.