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Zinc-ion battery
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Zinc-ion battery
A zinc-ion battery or Zn-ion battery (abbreviated as ZIB) uses zinc ions (Zn2+) as the charge carriers. Specifically, ZIBs utilize Zn metal as the anode, Zn-intercalating materials as the cathode, and a Zn-containing electrolyte. Generally, the term zinc-ion battery is reserved for rechargeable (secondary) batteries, which are sometimes also referred to as rechargeable zinc metal batteries (RZMB). Thus, ZIBs are different than non-rechargeable (primary) batteries which use zinc, such as alkaline or zinc–carbon batteries.
In 2011, Feiyu Kang's group showcased for the first time the reversible Zn-ion insertion into the tunnel structure of alpha-type manganese dioxide (MnO2) host used as the cathode in a ZIB.
The University of Waterloo in Canada owns patent rights to zinc-ion battery technology developed in its laboratories. The Canadian company Salient Energy is commercialising the zinc-ion battery technology.
Other forms of rechargeable zinc batteries are also being developed for stationary energy storage, although these are not explicitly zinc-ion. For example, Eos Energy Storage is developing a zinc-halide battery in which the cathode reaction involves the oxidation and reduction of halides. Eos Energy Storage is producing 1.5GWh of 'Made in America' zinc batteries to be used in the Texas and California electric grids.
ZIBs are an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale energy storage because of their affordability, safety, and compatibility with aqueous electrolytes. Research challenges at the anode, electrolyte, and cathode currently prevent its further commercialization.
A zinc metal negative electrode holds a high theoretical volumetric capacity (5854 Ah L−1), gravimetric capacity (820 Ah kg−1), and natural abundance. Zinc production and proven reserves exist at a higher scale than lithium metal due to zinc's use in galvanization and its broad geographic availability. Other benefits of zinc metal as an anode material include its compatibility with both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes and its higher safety and lower environmental toxicity compared to lithium.
Challenges to the Zn metal anode in the typical near-neutral aqueous electrolyte include the hydrogen evolution reaction and anode corrosion, which can cause capacity loss. Dendrite growth also occurs on Zn metal, like on Li metal, due to uneven plating. While these dendrites can cause capacity loss and cell short-circuit, they do not cause the explosion and fire risk of lithium metal batteries due to the aqueous electrolytes. Current research strategies to address these challenges include anode capping layers and structural and chemical changes to the Zn metal.
Aqueous electrolytes are the dominant form in ZIBs due to their high conductivity, low price, non-flammability, and environmental safety. Typical Zn salts are ZnSO4, Zn(OTf)2, and Zn(TFSI)2. Zinc sulfate is widely used today because of its lower cost and electrode stability, but the larger triflate and TFSI anions can lead to higher conductivities. Despite the advantages of aqueous electrolytes, the hydrogen evolution reaction and facile dendrite growth limit their use. Electrolyte additives such as buffering agents or other zinc salts can improve the performance of the aqueous electrolyte, as can the use of superconcentrated electrolytes, by altering the zinc solvation structure.
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Zinc-ion battery
A zinc-ion battery or Zn-ion battery (abbreviated as ZIB) uses zinc ions (Zn2+) as the charge carriers. Specifically, ZIBs utilize Zn metal as the anode, Zn-intercalating materials as the cathode, and a Zn-containing electrolyte. Generally, the term zinc-ion battery is reserved for rechargeable (secondary) batteries, which are sometimes also referred to as rechargeable zinc metal batteries (RZMB). Thus, ZIBs are different than non-rechargeable (primary) batteries which use zinc, such as alkaline or zinc–carbon batteries.
In 2011, Feiyu Kang's group showcased for the first time the reversible Zn-ion insertion into the tunnel structure of alpha-type manganese dioxide (MnO2) host used as the cathode in a ZIB.
The University of Waterloo in Canada owns patent rights to zinc-ion battery technology developed in its laboratories. The Canadian company Salient Energy is commercialising the zinc-ion battery technology.
Other forms of rechargeable zinc batteries are also being developed for stationary energy storage, although these are not explicitly zinc-ion. For example, Eos Energy Storage is developing a zinc-halide battery in which the cathode reaction involves the oxidation and reduction of halides. Eos Energy Storage is producing 1.5GWh of 'Made in America' zinc batteries to be used in the Texas and California electric grids.
ZIBs are an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale energy storage because of their affordability, safety, and compatibility with aqueous electrolytes. Research challenges at the anode, electrolyte, and cathode currently prevent its further commercialization.
A zinc metal negative electrode holds a high theoretical volumetric capacity (5854 Ah L−1), gravimetric capacity (820 Ah kg−1), and natural abundance. Zinc production and proven reserves exist at a higher scale than lithium metal due to zinc's use in galvanization and its broad geographic availability. Other benefits of zinc metal as an anode material include its compatibility with both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes and its higher safety and lower environmental toxicity compared to lithium.
Challenges to the Zn metal anode in the typical near-neutral aqueous electrolyte include the hydrogen evolution reaction and anode corrosion, which can cause capacity loss. Dendrite growth also occurs on Zn metal, like on Li metal, due to uneven plating. While these dendrites can cause capacity loss and cell short-circuit, they do not cause the explosion and fire risk of lithium metal batteries due to the aqueous electrolytes. Current research strategies to address these challenges include anode capping layers and structural and chemical changes to the Zn metal.
Aqueous electrolytes are the dominant form in ZIBs due to their high conductivity, low price, non-flammability, and environmental safety. Typical Zn salts are ZnSO4, Zn(OTf)2, and Zn(TFSI)2. Zinc sulfate is widely used today because of its lower cost and electrode stability, but the larger triflate and TFSI anions can lead to higher conductivities. Despite the advantages of aqueous electrolytes, the hydrogen evolution reaction and facile dendrite growth limit their use. Electrolyte additives such as buffering agents or other zinc salts can improve the performance of the aqueous electrolyte, as can the use of superconcentrated electrolytes, by altering the zinc solvation structure.